It happened once upon a time that the Mullah Nasruddin, in spite of all his wisdom–or his enemies would say, because of it–became entangled in a legal dispute. Such things happen! Who in this turbulent world can expect to have a life without conflict?

As the day in court approached, the Mullah became more and more worried. His position was not very strong, and to lose the case would be ruinous to him. Accordingly, he went to visit a man he knew to be good friends with the judge who was to preside over the case.

Having explained the situation to the man, the Mullah asked, “What do you think, my friend? Would a suitable gift persuade the judge to rule fairly in my favour?”

“A gift?” the man demanded. “Do you mean a bribe?”

“Well…” said the Mullah, “call it a tribute to his honesty.”

“Mullah,” said the man severely, “I warn you. The judge is a very upright man, and if you attempt to sway him like this, it is the surest way to turn him against you. I know of one case where someone tried to bribe him, and he not only ruled against the man, but he also sent hm to jail! Put this thought completely out of your mind.”

“I understand,” said the Mullah, solemnly. “Thank you for your advice.”

Some weeks later, the man ran into the Mullah again and began by congratulating him warmly on his victory in court. “Your case must have been stronger than you thought, Mullah,” he said. “The judge was very strong in his decision. He said the facts speak for themselves.”

“Well, yes,” said Nasruddin, “but perhaps the money also helped.”

“The money?!” said the man, astonished. “You don’t mean that you sent him a bribe after the warning I gave you!”

“Yes,” Nasruddin said, “I did. But I sent it in the name of my opponent.”