Altruism among beggars
Once a priest, a yogi, and Nasruddin were talking about their devotion and offerings to God. The priest declared, “Once a month, I draw a circle one meter wide in the sand and stand in the center. All the alms I have collected that month I throw high into the air. Whatever lands outside the circle, I give to God, and the rest I keep for myself.”
The yogi stated, “My offering method is more selfless. Every month, I draw a circle a half-meter in diameter in the sand. Then I stand in the center, and all the alms I have gathered that month I toss up into the air. Whatever lands inside the circle goes to God, and the rest I keep for my few needs.”
Nasruddin said, “Nothing personal, but it seems that I am surrendered to accept whatever the Lord wants me to have to a far greater extent than either of you.”
The yogi and priest both protested Nasruddin’s assertion. “Prove yourself!” the priest demanded.
“Clearly, my offering technique is far superior in its altruism,” replied Nasruddin. “I don’t even need to use a circle in the sand. Every month, all the alms I have collected I throw into the air up to God and cry out, ‘Oh God, accept whatever You want!’ Whatever God does not need, he returns back to the ground for me.”
Excerpted from The Uncommon Sense of the Immortal Mullah Nasruddin: Stories, Jests, and Donkey Tales of the Beloved Persian Folk Hero
Your Daily Nasruddin
Another example of how Nasruddin makes the illogical seem possible, even plausible at times.
