The villagers always expected something bizarre from Mulla Nasruddin. Notwithstanding that, he had the ability to surprise them each time they met him, as it happened that particular morning when Nasruddin seemed chirpier than usual. He ordered a large cup of tea at his favourite tea stall. He also treated his friends to tea and snacks, who found it to be rather unusual. One of the friends couldn’t resist asking him the reason for his happiness. Between sips, Nasruddin told them how his favourite donkey had gone missing since the previous evening. Despite their preparedness, his friends were surprised by yet another exhibition of Nasruddin’s peculiar behaviour. Who’s cheerful on losing anything? They wondered. Besides, it was his favourite donkey, not some ordinary item missing from his house. One of his friends tried to figure out this strange situation. He asked, ‘Shouldn’t the loss of your donkey call for lamentation? Instead, you’re elated and even treating us, as if you’ve won something.’
Nasruddin smiled at his friend and stated with confidence, ‘Of course I’m elated… stoked… thrilled. And there’s a reason for it.’
Even as others waited to listen to his reason, Nasruddin got busy drinking tea. Since the suspense was getting on everyone’s nerves, one of them asked him, ‘Nasruddin, can you please explain? We don’t understand it.’
‘Arrey, baba,’ Nasruddin sounded exasperated as he explained. ‘Just think of what would have happened if I were riding the donkey yesterday. Wouldn’t I have gotten lost, too? Thank the Lord for saving me.’
His friends guffawed. Some of them took it as a joke. There were others who sat gaping with bafflement, thinking it to be yet another of his silliness. There were a few who could grasp something deeper in his words.
We could belong to any of the three sets of people listening to Nasruddin. If we’re in the third lot, we can derive sense from Nasruddin’s words. Since losses are an indisputable part of everyone’s life, never-ending lamentation for them is rather nonsensical. Instead, we must look at the bright side. There’s a positive aspect to even the bleakest of instances. So, whenever the mind laments, let the heart acknowledge the fact that we could have been on top of the lost donkey. In other words, events could have turned out worse. Thankfully, it didn’t!