Once a renowned philosopher and moralist was travelling through Nasruddin’s village when he asked him where there was a good place to eat. Nasruddin suggested a place and the scholar, hungry for conversation, invited the Mullah to join him. Much obliged, Mullah Nasruddin accompanied the scholar to a nearby restaurant, where they asked the waiter about the special of the day.
“Fish! Fresh Fish!” replied the waiter.
“Bring us two,” they answered.
A few minutes later, the waiter brought out a large platter with two cooked fish on it, one of which was quite a bit smaller than the other. Without hesitating, Mullah Nasruddin took the larger of the fish and put in on his plate.
The scholar, giving Mullah Nasruddin a look of intense disbelief, proceeded to tell him that what he did was not only blatantly selfish, but violated the principles of almost every known moral, religious, and ethical system. Mullah Nasruddin calmly listened to the philosopher’s extempore lecture patiently, and when he had finally exhausted his resources, Mullah Nasruddin said,
“Well, Sir, what would you have done?”
“I, being a conscientious human, would have taken the smaller fish for myself.”
“And here you are,” Mullah Nasruddin said, and placed the smaller fish on the gentleman’s plate.
Source: Evan’s Experientialism
(Not an endorsement, just crediting where I found it. I haven’t really read the site – seems like a really great place though!)
Shouldn’t we all be on the lookout for spiritual hypocrisy and pride in ourselves? 
What do you think of such posts? For RSS readers, the site has recently been redesigned (click through to see it!), and as part of this change, I was reading through my older posts. I was surprised to see how the blog has changed. The recent posts have become a bit too scientific and less human; it felt like reading some kind of textbook – even worse, feels like “work”!
Apologies for this, if this has turned you off – I didn’t even realise it myself. I’m entering the final year of my psychology studies (unless I get into post-graduate school) and that means most of my time has been spent reading and writing really drrrrryyyyy and borrrinnnnggg scientific type material. It’s hard to switch back to normal mode sometimes.
And so this post is an experiment in going the other direction. What do you think? Please leave a comment! I’m thinking of mixing in shorter posts and / or less serious posts in the future, especially since I foresee less and less blogging time.
And in case you are wondering who Nasruddin is, Wikipedia says that he is a “legendary satirical Sufi figure”, who gets his messages across in very unconventional but effective manner. His stories are always fantastic.
The first link love goes out to Tim Brownson of A Daring Adventure. You’ll absolutely fall in love with his writing style and sense of humour. A recent post: The American Dream Lives, Thrives.
Myrko Thum of Awake Blogger is a writer of diverse interests – including two of our favourite – spirituality and personal development! Well worth a visit! A recent post: The Meaning of The Finger Pointing to the Moon.
UrbanMonk.Net provides comprehensive articles for your personal development - modern life, entwined with ancient spirituality.
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33 Comments
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lol, totally cracked me up. Thanks for tossing in this fun story.
Hi Albert,
Shorter posts are OK by me. Don’t do away with the longer ones though (but I’m a bit of a serious person so I may be in a pretty small minority)
Hi
Thought-provoking indeed. Any kind of indignation is sign of a slippery slope being slid down, yes.
Steve
PS To counter Evan, I prefer short posts. I too am a bit of a serious person, but I just don’t have the ‘patience’ for long posts. So I just don’t read ‘em… :-O
Very good post! I love the unexpected ending, and the length seemed perfect to me. I usually enjoy the longer posts, but this was a refreshing change. Perhaps a mix of shorter and longer posts might be ideal?
Thank you very much guys
I think so far the consensus is a mix of both, will wait to see what other readers think! 
Love it! It’s so easy to get all “judgy” of others. In the end, our judgments are a mirror we all need to look into.
I think it’s wonderful that your blog is and always has been a perfect reflection of where you are. We’re all on your journey with you this way!
Just keep doing what you’re doing!
Blessings,
Andrea
Hi Albert,
I love the story! I must remember to use that strategy sometime when it is called for!
I’m quite new to your blog, but in general I think both short and long posts work, depending on the topic.
Albert, I needed a laugh today!
Wonderful story.
Everything you write – every word – is a gem.
But most of us don’t have the time to read long posts, no matter how good.
I think it will not only help – but not hurt for you to write shorter articles.
Looking forward to how you do it!
Don’t apologize, write whatever makes you happy and makes you feel like you are giving great value.
Thanks for the links, and personally I like shorter posts myself, i get annoyed and never end up reading long posts, there are rare exceptions.
Also I’d recommend more numbers in the title and money or sex references, like so: “10 Things Mullah Nasruddin Can Teach YOU About Making More Money TODAY!”
Just playing. I like your blog just the way it is.
The site is looking good Albert, it really is. And you’re right, recent articles have been a bit scientific. It’s all good, though
This was one of the shorter ones- but I liked it. Could have used a little commentary, maybe? And in the other hand, it takes away some of the insight it might give people, because with no commentary it forces us to think for ourselves.
So as always, my friend, just keep it up.
Alex
I have always lived by the philosophy that short is good. Mind you, I’ve had to.
Thanks a lot for the link Albert, much appreciated as are the kind words!
Hi Albert!
Great site re-design and great story too!
I think there is even more to that story when it comes to human nature and judgement. In fact there are several ways I can see someone “spiritual” interpreting that. But I won’t elaborate – just let people allow their own depth to dive into it.
Anyhow, as to shorter posts – it sounds like a great idea. I often tell myself that, as I know some people do not like reading long articles and it would allow me to write more often – BUT it has not happened yet. I just get so entranced in the material and feel I have so much to say. But I know that mixing in some short is beneficial indeed.
Anyhow all the best on your continued studies
Bite-sized awesomeness.
Chris Edgar cracks me up.
I’ve been trying a mix of posts – both long and short, serious and funny, SEO-type and personal blog posts – since last year. Other than trying to be consistent in my twice-a-week posting, I’ve not stuck onto any particular style. But the great thing is that I’m enjoying the diversity, the range of styles and content that I’m publishing. I’m having loads of fun in the process!!
No one writes like the way you do. You provide much depth and analysis. However, I’m also of the opinion that it wouldn’t hurt for you to have shorter posts every once in a while. Short posts can be punchy and drive the message across too. In short, do what feels good to you!! And that is key!
Thank you so much for the kind words and support everybody! And the jokes too hahah!
Classical example of ego and hypocricy. There are list Jokes around 200 or more on Mullah Nasruddin in a BOOK- Thus spoke Mullah Nasruddin- by OSHO.
Thank you posting this one.:)
BTW, i have recently started to blog and included you in my Blogroll
. Hoping to your insightful comments there.
Hey Sumiran, I’ve actually been lurking on your site a little. I love it. I hate the comments system on blogger/blogspot so I never commented, though.
On Yom Kippur, the rabbi stops in the middle of the service, prostrates himself beside the bema, and cries out, “Oh, God. Before You, I am nothing!”
Saul Rosenberg, president of the temple is so moved by this demonstration of piety that he immediately throws himself to the floor beside the rabbi and cries, “Oh, God! Before you, I am nothing!”
Then Chaim Pitkin, a tailor, jumps from his seat, prostrates himself in the aisle and cries, “Oh God! Before You, I am nothing!”
Rosenberg nudges the rabbi and whispers, “So look who thinks he’s nothing.”
Hey Shubha, that was one of my favourite stories, thanks for sharing it!
I like the new direction. Being an avid student of Sufism for some time, I’ve always loved Mullah Nasruddin. They are wonderful examples of a principle I think you’re moving on: that when you try to be spiritual and evolve, you create resistance and never get very far. Work without effort, movement without muscles.
Matthew (of Loving Awareness, now mostly doing stuff at Polaris Rising)
Mullah’s great, isn’t he? I spent an entire night enjoying his stories on the internet – this one was my favourite one of them all. Good to hear about your new blog – I’m off to check it out right now!
I like your blog!
Hey Ribbon, like yours too
Great one Albert!
I read hundreds of his anecdotes in childhood. Here’s one of my favorite ones:
One day when it was raining very hard, Mullah saw a person running on the road towards a shelter. Mullah shouted ” This is so sad! You are running away from God’s blessing”.
A couple of days later, it was raining hard again and this time Mullah was running towards the shelter. The other guy was watching him and shouted “What happened now Mullah, why are YOU running from God’s blessing”.
Mullah said “You fool! Do you want me to step over God’s blessings?”
I wouldn’t worry too much about post length itself, because I’ve found some of your longest entries to be the most valuable.
It takes exactly as long as it takes to say what you want, and no shorter.
Re-reading and editing I guess wouldn’t be a bad idea, but I can never bring myself to do it. Ah well.
I’ve been reading Sufi stories myself for a while, because I’m a huge fan of parables, but somehow I’ve never encountered what is basically a Sufi trickster.
Thanks for sharing.
@ RYM: Haha that’s a good one. I spent quite a few nights reading through his stories myself, they’re really awesome, aren’t they!
@ Estragon: Thanks for that
I’m experimenting with a new style of writing, more concise but still carries the same amount of info. Curious to see how my readers will take it!
Un Saludo de Masajes Reynaldo fromm Spain.
Thanks for your blog.
See the Nasrudin history OSHO books.
Bay
Hey Bay, thank you for that. Yes, I first heard of Nasruddin through Osho, fell in love with his stories
Personally, I love the shorter, funnier, ‘human’ posts – the dry ones are interesting but less gripping…for me. Agree with others in saying no need to apologise – you are where you are and that’s ok! xx
Hey Donna, thanks for that. I’m still trying to find a way to incorporate a new shorter style and keep providing relevant info.
This story is amazing, as it makes us laugh and think deeply at the same time. We must all avoid the scholar’s error, and remain true to our ideals, not simply ourselves.
Hi Frank – thanks! I’ve read most of Mullah’s stories, and this one is by far my favorite.
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