Minaret Muslim Portal

The late Nasr al-Din Khodja was on his way to the village with his son. The boy was riding their donkey. They met two women on the road and they heard one say to the other.”Oh, for the days of youth! The boy rides in ease while his old father walks. Amazing!”
“Father,” the boy exclaimed, “you insisted I ride, didn’t you? Come on, don’t be stubborn. You ride the donkey!” and they went on down the road, Khodja riding, the youth walking, after awhile they met two old men limping alone. “Hey, old man!” they said,

“Your bones are already old and dry. You’ve got one foot in the grave. But this young sprout, does he deserve to dry up like you? Let him ride!” After they had passed, Khodja pulled his son up onto the donkey with him. They went along under the hot sun and then they came to a group of busy bodies sitting beside the road. “Oh, the cruelty! That poor animal. It’s too much, two people riding! The poor beast it’s about to die. Look at this guy, and he’s even a Khodja!” “Oh, for God’s sake,” Khodja said. He got off the donkey and they walked along together, driving the donkey in front of them. But in the next moment they encountered two men standing beside the road. 

“Allah Allah, (God) look at these idiots! The donkey goes on ahead, jumping and hopping with no load on its back, and they walk behind, streaming with sweat and covered with dust. What stupid people there are in the world!” Finally Khodja turned to his son and said,
“Look here! Hooray for the one who can escape from the tongues of people! There will always be someone who is not pleased with your doings. So work only to please Allah (God).”