1 <br />it’s graduation day <br />and the teacher gives awards <br />to each: <br />a book to one <br />a staff to another <br />silk or precious stones; <br />and to Nasrudin <br />the teacher <br />gives a donkey <br /> <br />2 <br />It is some years <br />and the teacher <br />hears of Nasrudin’s fame <br />and comes to visit <br />the House of Prayer Nasrudin oversees <br />and to pay homage to the Saint <br />buried just beside <br /> <br />3 <br />O Nasrudin, <br />says the teacher - <br />how great your fame <br />and vast your following <br />Tell me, which Eminent Saint <br />is buried in the mound <br />beside the House of Prayer <br />you oversee? <br /> <br />O Master, <br />says Nasrudin <br />It’s the donkey <br />you gave me <br />It died just 4 years after <br />and I buried him here <br />And everyone wants a Saint <br />so I have not disabused people <br />of their faith <br /> <br />4 <br />The teacher nods with a smile <br />and Nasrudin continues: <br />But tell me Master – <br />which Eminent Saint is buried in the mound <br />beside the House of Prayer <br />you oversee? <br /> <br />Ah, Nasrudin, says the teacher <br />though people believe it’s a Saint <br />it’s really your dead donkey’s mother<br /><br />Raj Arumugam<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/nasrudin-s-donkeys/
