I must save the Moon

Nasrudin was walking past a well, when he had the impulse to look into it. It was night, and as he peered into the deep water, he saw the Moon’s reflection there. ‘I must save the Moon!’ the Mulla thought. ‘Otherwise she will never wane, and the fasting month of Ramadan will never come to an end.’ He found a rope, threw it in and called down: ‘Hold tight; keep bright; succour is at hand!’ The rope caught in a rock inside the well, and Nasrudin heaved as hard as he could. Straining back, he suddenly felt the rope give as it came loose, and he was thrown on his back. As he lay there, panting, he saw the Moon riding in the sky above. ‘Glad to be of service,’ said Nasrudin. ‘Just as well I came along, wasn’t it?’

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