One day Nasreddin bought a donkey
in the market; but while he was taking it home, two thieves followed him. One
of them took rope from the donkey’s neck and tied it round his friend’s neck.
Then he went away with the donkey.
When Nasreddin got home, he
turned and saw the young man. He was very surprised. ‘Where is my donkey?’ he said angrily.
‘I am very sorry’, said the thief, ’but once I said some
very bad things to my mother, and she changed me into a donkey. But because a good man
bought me, I am now a man again! Thank you.’
Nasreddin untied the man and
said, “Go ! and never say bad things to your mother again!”
The next day, Nasreddin saw the same donkey in the
market again! The other thief was selling it. Nasreddin went to it
and said into its ear, ‘Young
man, some people will never learn !’