One of a series of stamps issued by Turkey in 2008 to commemmorate the 800th birth anniversary of Hodja

One day the Hodja was invited to a grand wedding where lavish food was being served. Having arrived in his old shabby robe nobody seemed to take any notice of him. This annoyed him! He slipped out of the party and went straight home. He put his best robe and fur coat and returned to the party.

From the entrance on he was overwhelmed with compliments, given the best seat at the table and urged to partake of the choicest food. Smiling, he began to dip the sleeve of his fur coat into each bowl that was brought to the table.

“Help yourself, my fur coat, eat !”, said the Hodja.

The host and the guests could not figure out this strange behaviour by Hodja.

“What are you doing, Hodja?”, cried the host and some of the guests in alarm.

“Why? I was just inviting my fur coat to partake of these delicacies, since it seems to command so much respect! Some moments ago, without my fur coat, I wasn’t even noticed. Because of it, I am now being overwhelmed with attention!”

For a brief background on Hodja please click Parable: Watermelons and Walnuts