Nasreddin Hodja is an infamous 13th century character who is known for his special sense of 'logic'. His stories have pleased and taught many for centuries, though they are by no means related to the historical personality himself. There are various opinions of where he came from. Some say that he was a contemporary of Tamerlane, who invaded Anatolia at the begining of the 15th century, but we have no historical documents to support any of the theories. In fact, some say that he never existed and the stories were written about an imaginary character.
Generally it is accepted that he died before 1393 and that his birthplace was Sivrihisar in Eskisehir. The oldest Nasreddin Hodja story was found in a book called 'Saltukname' which was wriiten back in 1980. The book also mentions the people of his town were famous for their strange behavior and ingeniousness.
Nasreddin Hodja's father was the imam(religious leader) of the village and Hodja became an imam for some time. He was also a university professor and judge! Regardless of his roots, he was most definately a clever and witty man. Over the years Islamic mystics and others used his character in their stories.
Nasreddin Hodja's stories were spread by word of mouth during the Ottoman Empire. Today, his stories are told from Turkmenistan to Hungary and from Southern Siberia to North Africa, in many languages.
Each year, from July 5-10, Aksehir holds the international Nasreddin Hodja festival around his tomb. His stories are kept alive in magazines, books, cartoons, music and paintings. But enough from me, and onto the words of the Hodja himself...
Everyone Who Sees the Light...
Hodja's wife was pregnant. One noght her contractions started and Hodja called the mid-wife. Soon it was announced to him, "Hodja, you have a son!" He was very pleased. Afew minutes later the mid-wife emarged again, "Hodja, you also have a girl!" then some time later, "Hodja, you have another girl!" Hodja ran into the room and blew out the candle. "What are you doing?" asked the surprised mid-wife. "Well, everyone who see the light wants to come out, what am I supposed to do?" he replied.
Mortal's Way...
One day four boys approached Hodja with a bag of walnuts and asked, "Hodja, can you divide the walnuts among us please?" Hodja asked, "Do you want God's way of distribution, of mortals' way?" "God's way" the children replied. Hodja opened the bag and gave 2 hanfuls to one child, 1 handful to one child, only 2 walnuts to the third, and none to the fourth. "What kind of distribution is this?" the children asked, surprised. "Well this is God's way," he replied. "He gives some people alot, some people little and others, nothing. If you had asked for the mortals' way, I would have given you all the same number.
Have it Pulled Out...
When a man asked, "I have terrible headaches..What do you think I should do?" Hodja replied, "Afew days ago I had a terrible toothache and I had it pulled out. Now I am fine."
I was in it...
One morning the neighboutrs asked Hodja, "Last night we heard noises coming from your house. It sounded like someone falling down the stairs" "Yes, my wife was angry and she threw my robe down the stairs." he replied. "Come on Hodja! A robe doesn't make that much noise" the neighbours answered. "But I was wearing it." Hodja said.
Whoever has the Blue Bead...
Hodja had two wives who used to fight quite often due to jealousy, To put an end to the fights, Hodja gave each one a blue bead and said, "Now don't tell the other I gave you this blue bead as a symbol of my love for you." One day they were fighting again. They asked Hodja who he loved the best. He answered, "I love the one who has the blue bead." Each wife thought Hodja loved her the most, and never bothered him again.