One day, Mulla Nasrudin was tasked with leading ten donkeys to the market. He started his journey sitting atop one of the donkeys, leading the rest in a line. After a short while, he decided to make sure they were all there. 'One, two, three... eight, nine.' He gasped. 'Where is the tenth donkey?' He jumped off his mount in a panic, searching behind rocks and bushes. Finding nothing, he counted again while standing on the ground: 'One, two, three... nine, ten!' Relieved, he climbed back onto his donkey and continued. A few minutes later, he decided to check once more. 'One, two... nine? Not again!' He leapt down, counted ten, and scratched his head in confusion. Just then, a friend passed by. 'Mulla, why do you look so troubled?' Nasrudin explained, 'When I ride, I have nine donkeys, but when I walk, I have ten!' The friend laughed and pointed, 'Mulla, have you counted the donkey you are sitting on?' Nasrudin sighed with relief, 'Ah! It is better to walk and keep all my donkeys than to ride and lose one.'
We often overlook the very thing we are searching for because we fail to account for our own position and perspective.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of Nasrudin Counts His Donkeys?
The moral is that our perspective can blind us to the obvious truth. It teaches us to include ourselves and our own actions when evaluating a situation.
Why did Nasrudin keep miscounting the donkeys?
Nasrudin failed to count the donkey he was currently riding. He only counted the animals in front of him, forgetting that he was also part of the group.
Who is Mulla Nasrudin?
Mulla Nasrudin is a legendary Sufi figure known for being a wise fool. His stories use humor to transmit deep spiritual and philosophical lessons.
What does the donkey represent in Sufi parables?
In Sufi tradition, the donkey often symbolizes the 'nafs' or the ego. It represents the physical self that must be managed and understood by the higher mind.
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Good night.
