Once upon a time Mullah Nasruddin was in the marketplace when someone came to him and told him sorrowfully that a certain neighbour of his was dead.

“No,” said Nasruddin, “it is not possible. I do not believe this.”

“But Nasruddin,” said the other, “I have the news from his wife. Why do you not believe it?”

“Because we are very close, there are no secrets between us,” Nasruddin replied. “I saw him only yesterday, and he would have told me himself if it were so.”