It happened once upon a time that Mullah Nasruddin was honoured to visit the great palace of the Governor of his region. During the visit, Nasruddin discovered that the Governor considered himself to have a gift for poetry. The ruler was deeply impressed by his own talent, and to prove his merits, he read to the Mullah one of his latest creations.

“What do you think?” the Governor demanded, when he finished.

“Well…” said the Mullah, “it’s not very good, really.”

“What?!” shouted the Governor. “How can you be so disrespectful? Three days in jail for intentional discourtesy!” And the attendants marched Nasruddin away to serve his sentence.

Some weeks later, such are the surprising ways of life that Nasruddin found himself again visiting the Governor, and once again the Governor read with obvious pride his latest poem. When he finished with a bow and a grand flourish, Nasruddin turned and, without a word, began to walk out of the room.

“Wait,” said the Governor, “where are you going?”

“To jail,” said the Mullah.