It happened once upon a time that the daughter of Mullah Nasruddin was growing up, and one day his wife said to the Mullah, “I have heard that a man may come and offer to marry our daughter. He would be a good match for her, so we must have some money ready for all the expenses.”

Being a religious man, Nasruddin replied with total honesty, “But we have no money.”

“Then you should go and sell our cow,” said his wife, “and be sure you get a good price.” And she told him how much he should bring home from the sale.

Accordingly, Nasruddin took the cow to the market, and began to look for a buyer, but no one wanted to pay as much as he was asking. Then, near the end of the day, when a man came and looked at the cow, Nasruddin again named the price, but then, struck by a flash of inspiration, added, “It’s a high price, because by the Grace of the Almighty this cow is six months pregnant!” The man smiled to think that he would get two animals so easily. In a minute the deal was done, and Nasruddin walked away with the money his wife was expecting.

When he arrived home, his wife was talking to the man who was interested in marrying their daughter. From the way the conversation was going, though, the Mullah understood that the man was doubtful. Therefore he decided to encourage his interest.

“My friend,” Nasruddin said to the man, “don’t hesitate! By the Grace of the Almighty, our daughter is six months pregnant!”