A man called, wanting to borrow a rope. You cannot have it, said Nasrudin. Why not? Because it is in use. But I can see it just lying there, on the ground. That's right: that's its use.

Knowledge is like the carrot, few know by looking at the green top that the best part, the orange part, is there. Like the carrot, if you don't work for it, it will wither away and rot. And finally, like the carrot, there are a great many donkeys and jackasses that are associated with it.

One of the neighbors found Nasreddin scattering crumbs all around his house. Why are you doing that? he asked. I'm keeping the tigers away, replied Nasreddin. But there aren't any tigers around here, said the neighbor. That's right, said Nasreddin. You see how well it works?