Nasreddin Hodja or Nasruddin Hooja was a 13th-century satirist born in Turkey. He appears in many stories, which are funny, entertaining and thoughtful. While he seems wise in some stories, he is foolish and the target of jokes in others.

Tired of being the target of Hodja’s jokes, his friends decided to teach Hodja a lesson.

They met Hodja and said, “It has been a long time since we have had a feast.”

Hodja replied, “That is true. So which one of you is going to give it?”

One of the friends replied, “How about a bet to decide? If you can spend an entire night in the town square without lighting a fire, we will give you a feast. On the other hand, if you lose, you have to provide us with dinner.”

Hodja thought, “It is winter, and the nights are cold. Will I be able to spend a night in the open without a fire to warm me? But, a feast is tempting. I am bored of eating simple food every day.”

He said, “I accept. Be ready to give me a feast tomorrow.”

That night, Hodja spent the night in the town square. It was freezing, but he managed without lighting a fire. The next day, his friends came in the morning and were surprised that Hodja won the bet.

“How did you manage, Hodja? Wasn’t it cold for you?” asked the friends.

Hodja replied, “It was cold and dark. But I could see an oil lamp miles away. I watched it and assumed that the light from the lamp was warming me.”

“But that is cheating,” exclaimed one of the friends. “You used the help of the lamp to keep yourself warm. You have lost your bet, so you must give us the feast.”

Despite knowing that his friends were duping him, Hodja agreed. “Come home tomorrow for dinner then,” he said.

The next day, the friends reached Hodja’s home.

“I have not eaten a whole day anticipating the feast,” said a friend.

“True. No one gives feasts like you do, Hodja,” said another. “We are hungry. When can we eat?”

“Come with me to the backyard. We can see if the meal has been cooked,” said Hodja.

The friends followed Hodja to the backyard, where a large cauldron was hanging from a tree branch. On the ground, ten feet below the cauldron, was a small candle.

“Are you using the candle to cook the meal, Hodja?” asked one of the friends, astonished.

“Yes. Once the candle heats the cauldron, the meal will be ready,” replied Hodja.

“But how is that possible?” asked his friends. “How can a small candle heat a large cauldron ten feet above?”

“Why not? If a small oil lamp miles away provided heat to me during a cold winter night, why can’t a candle heat a cauldron hanging high up?” replied Hodja with a twinkle in his eyes.

Realising that Hodja had once again outwitted them, the friends had a hearty laugh. “You win, Hodja,” they said. “But are we to remain hungry then?”

“No,” said Hodja with a laugh. “I have dinner ready. Come inside and take it.”

The friends enjoyed a delicious meal. From then on, knowing Hodja was cleverer than all of them, the friends never dared to challenge Hodja.

Author’s note:

There is a Birbal story very similar to this.