It happened once that Mullah Nasruddin received a summons from the Governor of the province where he lived. As he brushed off his turban and hurriedly prepared to go to the palace, his wife said, “Whatever you do, be sure you give the governor respect! Treat him like he is higher than the sky – he might reward you if you do.”

When Nasruddin arrived at the palace, he was admitted to the throne room where the Governor was seated, but the truth is that the Governor had completely forgotten why he had summoned the Mullah. Not wanting to admit his lapse of memory, he stared at his visitor for a moment, and then barked, “Mullah! What is the largest animal in the sea?”

“The whale, your Grace, if you condescend to agree,” Nasruddin replied promptly.

“Yes, I see,” said the Governor, still wondering why he was having this conversation. “And the largest animal on the land?”

“May God forgive my sins, your excellency,” said Nasruddin bowing very low. “But what animal would dare to claim that it was larger than your holy person?”