But I'm innocent ...



[NASRADDIN HODJA is a Turkish folk hero, whose life stories of humour and wit I heard from my mother at appropriate moments. Here is one story I remember. I will let my discerning reader to make the necessary connection:]


One day Nasraddin Hodja was arrested and brought before a judge, for stealing a horse.

Nasraddin, said the judge, whatever has come over you? Why did you steal that horse?

Nasraddin, wiping his tears, said with a quavering voice:

But I'm innocent, Your honour, completely innocent. I was walking down the street and I saw a rope lying on the ground. Just a piece of rope, lying there. I picked it up and took it with me. How wasI to know that the end of the rope was tied to a horse?