MALICIOUS GOSSIP
Nasreddin Hodja's friends once complained to him about his wife.
"Your wife never seems to stay in her own house, Hodja Effendi. She is out all day visiting this or that neighbor."
They noticed that the Hodja had started to think. After a time, it was apparent that no reply would be forthcoming.
"Isn't it true, Hodja Effendi?" they asked.
"I don't believe it's true," the Hodja replied. "It must be malicious gossip."
"How can you say that, Nasreddin Hodja? It's common knowledge that your wife calls on people all the time."
"No, my friend," said the Hodja. "I'm sure you are mistaken. Why, if it were true, then she would surely drop by our house from time to time."
