Story Summary
Discover the wit of Turkish folklore in Nasreddin and the Smell of Soup. See how Hodja uses the sound of money to settle a greedy innkeeper's absurd demand.
A poor man, having nothing but a piece of dry bread, stood outside an inn holding it over a large, steaming pot of soup to soak up the delicious aroma. The greedy innkeeper, spotting this, grabbed the man and hauled him before the village judge, Nasreddin Hodja, demanding payment for the smell of his soup. The poor man pleaded that he was penniless and had taken nothing tangible. Nasreddin listened calmly to both sides, then took a bag of coins from his own pocket. He held the bag close to the innkeeper’s ear and shook it vigorously, making the coins jingle. 'What are you doing?' the innkeeper asked, confused. Nasreddin replied with a smile, 'I am paying you. The sound of money is the fair payment for the smell of soup.'
The Moral
An absurd demand deserves an equally abstract compensation; greed is best countered with clever logic.
“The sound of money is the fair payment for the smell of soup.”
Fun Fact
UNESCO declared 1996–1997 as the International Nasreddin Hodja Year to celebrate his contribution to world culture and humor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Nasreddin and the Smell of Soup?
The moral is that an unjust or ridiculous claim should be met with an equally symbolic resolution. It teaches that greed can be defeated by wit and that justice doesn't always require a physical exchange.
Who was Nasreddin Hodja?
Nasreddin Hodja was a 13th-century philosopher and wise man from Akşehir, Turkey, known for his humorous and instructive folk tales. He is a central figure in the oral traditions of many Middle Eastern and Balkan cultures.
What did the innkeeper demand in the story?
The innkeeper demanded that the poor man pay him for the 'smell' of the soup that the man used to flavor his dry bread. He viewed the aroma as his property that had been consumed.
How did Nasreddin solve the dispute?
Nasreddin took a bag of coins and jingled them in the innkeeper's ear. He ruled that since the innkeeper only provided the 'smell' of food, the 'sound' of money was the only payment required.
Is Nasreddin and the Smell of Soup a real historical event?
While Nasreddin Hodja may have been a real historical person, the story is a classic piece of folklore. It is an apocryphal tale used to demonstrate the sharp wit and justice characteristic of the Hodja figure.
Which culture does this story belong to?
This story is a staple of Turkish folklore, though versions of Nasreddin (often called Mullah Nasruddin or Juha) exist throughout Central Asia, Iran, and the Arab world.