Brother, said Mulla Nasrudin to a neighbour, I am collecting to pay the debt of a poor man who cannot meet his obligations.
Very laudable, said the other, and gave him a coin.
Who is this person?
Me, said Nasrudin as he hurried away.
A few weeks later he was at the door again.
I suppose you are calling about a debt, said the non cynical neighbour.
I am.
I suppose someone can't pay a debt and you want a contribution?
That is so.
I suppose it is you who owes the money?
Not this time.
Well, I am glad to hear it. Take this contribution.
Nasrudin pocketed the money.
Just one thing Mulla - what prompts your humanitarian sentiments in this particular case?
Ah, you see...I am the creditor!
Very laudable, said the other, and gave him a coin.
Who is this person?
Me, said Nasrudin as he hurried away.
A few weeks later he was at the door again.
I suppose you are calling about a debt, said the non cynical neighbour.
I am.
I suppose someone can't pay a debt and you want a contribution?
That is so.
I suppose it is you who owes the money?
Not this time.
Well, I am glad to hear it. Take this contribution.
Nasrudin pocketed the money.
Just one thing Mulla - what prompts your humanitarian sentiments in this particular case?
Ah, you see...I am the creditor!
Search - and the ego is always somewhere behind. Search - and in every act the ego is the motivation. But if one can find it so and can realize it. So one goes beyond it because the very realization is the going beyond.
