Once at a crossroad, Mulla Nasruddin Hodja saw a portly nobleman riding towards him.<>
“I say, Mulla,” said the man. “Which is the way to the palace?”<>
“How did you know I was a Mulla?” asked Hodja.<>
The nobleman had a habit of addressing every scholarly-looking man as “Mulla,” which was a title given to learned men and meant “master” but he didn’t want to tell Hodja that.<>
“How did I know?” he bragged. “Well, I’m a mind-reader, that’s how.”<>
“Pleased to meet you,” said Hodja. “As to your question, read my mind and proceed.”<>
