Once Nasruddin appeared in the village square, looking battered and sitting astride his donkey. Coming to a halt, he climbed off the animal with great difficulty, and a friend asked him, “Mullah, what is wrong? Did you hurt yourself?”

“Yes,” said Nasruddin. “I was in the hills gathering firewood, and there was an accident. My leg is so sore I can hardly walk. Thank the Almighty that I had my donkey with me, or I would never have been able to get back.”

“Praise be to God for the help of the donkey,” said the friend. “But what was the accident? What happened to you.”

Nasruddin said, “The donkey kicked me.”