Nasreddin Hodja - The Price of the Mirror

Nasreddin Hodja - The Price of the Mirror

Joke (English)

One day, while the Hodja was strolling in the bazaar, a villager who had never seen a mirror before picked up a shiny one from a vendor's stall and began to examine it in astonishment. When the villager saw his own reflection in the mirror, he panicked and shouted, "Oh no! This vendor has found my lost twin and is demanding money from me!"

As the villager hesitated to pay and take the mirror, the Hodja approached. The villager turned to the Hodja and explained the situation: "Hodja, look! The man is asking for money for a picture of my lost twin! Do you think this is fair?"

The Hodja looked curiously into the mirror held by the villager. The villager turned the mirror toward the Hodja. The Hodja frowned when he saw his own face and handed the mirror back to the villager.

The Hodja took a deep breath and shrugged:

"My son, that is not your twin at all. I have seen that person before. This vendor is simply trying to sell an 'old, ugly neighbour's photograph.' I wouldn't even pay for it, I wouldn't take it for free!"