It happened once upon a time that the king of Nasruddin’s country wanted to know if it was possible to read minds. The king declared that he would give twenty pieces of gold to anyone who could tell him what the ministers of his court were thinking. But as the king also promised a good beating to anyone who failed to do it, no one came forward, as they suspected that the ministers would simply deny whatever was said.

The only one willing to take the risk was Nasruddin. Putting on his turban and combing his beard, he went to present himself at court. There the king was seated on his throne, with his queen by his side, and all the ministers gathered before him.

“You say you can read my ministers’ minds,” said the King, “but be warned, Mullah. If they deny what you say, you will be given a beating. Now tell me, what are they thinking?”

Nasruddin stroked his beard, looked carefully at the ministers, and said, “Majesty, by a strange coincidence they are all thinking the same thing. They are all thinking that you are an excellent king, and that they hope you will live for ever.”

The king asked the ministers if this was true, and miraculously all of them nodded gravely. Therefore the king commanded that the Mullah should be given the gold.

“But,” said the King, “Mullah, I will give you the same amount again if by your powers you can tell me what I am thinking.”

“Your highness,” Nasruddin replied, “you are certainly thinking that your queen is the most beautiful woman in the country.”

And as the king did not contradict what Nasruddin said, the Mullah went home – for once – with plenty of gold in his pocket.