Although we know very few details about the life of Mullah Nasruddin, and whatever we do know the Mullah himself often contradicts, it seems sure that he lived in the time of Timur the Lame, or Tamerlane as he is sometimes called, the ferocious tyrant who slew thousands in his conquest of a vast empire. We know this because one day Nasruddin was addressing a crowd of people in the village square about this very subject, the terrible atrocities inflicted by Timur the Lame upon the people.

“That sinner has been shameless in his lust for treasure and blood,” Nasruddin said to them, “but do not lose hope, dear people, God sees all our sins, and He will certainly one day punish Timur for his wickedness.”

But then one man in the crowd spoke up, and said, “You are wrong, Mullah. Timur is not wicked. It is the people who are the sinners. Timur and his men are nothing other than God’s avenging angels sent to purify the land of fools.”

Hearing this, Nasruddin looked more carefully at the man and saw that although he was dressed in the hooded cloak of a dervish, he was not any ordinary person. Studying the man, Nasruddin felt a strange dread come over him.

“Tell me, uncle,” he said politely, “where are you from?”

“From beyond,” the man said proudly. “No border can contain me.”

“And may I know your honorable name?” Nasruddin inquired.

“Timur,” the man replied.

“I see,” said Nasruddin. “And by any chance are you sometimes known by the nickname, ‘the lame’?”

“Yes.”

“Well, then,” Nasruddin said to the crowd, “then there is nothing more to say except to invite you all to my imminent funeral.”