The Defeated Scholar

A very knowledgeable scholar was coming into town for a debate. Scared of facing him, all the scholars of the court had left town, citing one excuse after another. The Sultan was very worried; he didn’t want to lose face. So, he sent a messenger to Hodja Naseeruddin.

“Oh, is that so? Let me meet this scholar,” said the Hodja, hopping onto his donkey. At the city square, the Hodja met the scholar, followed by his retinue of disciples, making his way to the Sultan’s palace.

“No outsider can meet the scholars of our city unless he defeats a common man in debate,” declared the Hodja to the scholar. “You can put your questions to me; I am a common man.”

“Very well,” said the arrogant scholar. “Where is the center of the earth?”