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.

Hodja had a greedy neighbor who enjoyed praying on innocent victims and cheating him. Wanting to teach the neighbor a lesson, Hodja thought of a plan.

He went to his neighbor and asked, “Brother, can I borrow your cauldron? As you know, I have a dinner party tomorrow, but I do not have a big enough pot. I will return it as soon as possible.”

The neighbor replied, “Of course, you can take mine.”

The dinner party was hugely successful. A few days later, Hodja returned the cauldron to his neighbor. The neighbor noticed a smaller vessel inside the large one.

“This vessel isn’t mine, Hodja. I think you have given it by mistake,” said the neighbor.

“I know you had given me only one. Your cauldron had given birth to the smaller vessel,” said Hodja.

“It makes no sense,” thought the neighbor. “But if Hodja is foolish enough to give me an extra vessel, why should I refuse it?”

Aloud he said happily, “Thank you.”

A few days later, Hodja asked his neighbor, “Can I borrow your cauldron again? There is a dinner party tomorrow at my house.”

The neighbor was irritated. “Why can’t he buy a pot? Why does he always borrow mine? Anyway, I will be happy if he again acts foolish and gives me another vessel.”

The neighbor gave the cauldron to Hodja. Many days passed, and Hodja did not return the cauldron.

Finally, unable to wait any longer, the neighbor went to Hodja and said, “Where is the cauldron that you borrowed from me? It has been a long time, and I need it.”

Hodja replied, “I am very sorry, my friend. Your cauldron died last night after being sick for many days.”

“What? How can a cauldron die? Are you trying to fool me?” asked the neighbor angrily.

“If a cauldron can give birth, then why can’t it die?” asked Hodja innocently.

Realizing that Hodja had tricked him, the neighbor went home quietly, mourning the loss of his cauldron. Having learnt a lesson, he stopped being greedy and never cheated ever again.