Nasrettin Hodja Tales… 2, 3 & 4

For five centuries the people of Turkey have been laughing at Nasrettin. The humorous folklore of the
nation has been hung upon the name of Nasrettin, who, upon becoming a teacher-priest, added the
honorary title of Hodja to his name, which means teacher or scholar. Nasrettin
Hodja is Turkey’s best-known trickster. His legendary wit and trickery were
possibly based on the exploits of a historical imam. Some of the stories have
a moral, some do not. Nasrettin reputedly was born in 1208 in the village of
Horto near Sivrihisar. In 1237 he moved to Akshehir, where he died in the
Islamic year 683 (1284 or 1285). As many as 350 anecdotes have been
attributed to the Hodja. Turks of all ages break into a grin of anticipation
whenever they hear, “That reminds me of a Nasrettin Hodja story!” In many
of them the Hodja’s patient, long-eared donkey plays a role. The Hodja always
has one friend upon whom he can depend… his donkey! Some of these stories
are thought to be true, however nobody knows… and nobody cares… whether
they are true or not. It is known that at the time of Tamerlane the Great (see
“Tamerlane” on page 19) there was at Akshehir in Turkey a rustic teacherpriest
who was known for doing foolish things. People even laugh when they
visit his grave, because it is no ordinary grave. It stands on a hill near Akshehir,
and is marked by a single iron gate, carefully locked, but without any
accompanying walls. Nasrettin Hodja is as Turkish as Paul Bunyan is American,
but the Hodja carries the accumulated humor of five centuries
instead of one.