Thanks for all the "warm fuzzy" positive reactions, everyone. Mario, I'm not surprised that such a story (sotry! heh, heh) has travelled. . . would love to hear the version you know. I heard someone tell it recently at the storyteller festival that some friends organised and was able to lay my hands on a collection ("Sagesses et malices de Nasreddine, le fou qui était sage") of stories about Nasreddine Hodja. Since they seem to be appreciated, I'll try to find some time to translate a few more of them.

cheers,

Aux