Nasrudin had long intended to ask for the hand of a certain young girl. But before he had saved the money for her dowry, his friend told him that he was to wed the beauty. The Mulla was very upset and, thinking for a moment, he said: “I congratulate you, she is indeed a prize. In fact, I was talking to another man only today, who admitted he was quite dazzled by her loveliness.” “Are you saying that she has appeared unveiled in public?” asked his friend. “I am simply repeating what I have heard,” replied Nasrudin.

Much shaken, the other man hurried to his prospective father-in-law’s house and broke off the engagement. A few months later, when Nasrudin had finally secured the money for the dowry, he became engaged to the girl. When his friend heard the news, he was very annoyed.

“If you had not implied that the girl was immodest, I would have married her myself!” “You are confused,” said Nasrudin calmly, “I never so much as hinted that she was immodest.” “But you said you had spoken to another man who was dazzled by her beauty.” “Didn’t I mention that the other man was her father?” asked Nasrudin.