BORROWED GOWN
One day Hoja Naziruddin`s old friend Jalal paid him a
surprise visit. They had not met for a long time. The friends were very happy and after some
time they decided to visit some common friends in Hoja`s village. But Jalal had
a problem . he was in very plain clothes and did not have a gown for formal
visits. So Hoja loaned him one of his gowns. The friends set out for their
social rounds.
They reached the first house and was pleasantly received by
the master of the house. During the conversation Hoja hinted to the host that
their friend Jalal was wearing Hoja`s gown. Jalal was naturally upset. When
they were out of the friend`s house , Jalal roundly scolded Hoja and asked him
not to repeat the folly again. Hoja readily agreed and they proceeded to the
next house.
At the next house, while introducing Jalal, Hoja told the
host that the gown Jalal was wearing belonged to Jalal and nobody else. The
stupid statement naturally aroused the suspicion of the host`s family members.
And Jalal felt more irritated.
While coming out, Jalal told Hoja not to say anything
whatsoever about his gown to anyone they met thereafter. Hoja had no objection
and he readily agreed. So they were soon
in the third house, talking to the host and his family members. During chatting
, Hoja told the host , that he would answer any question about himself or his
friend Jalal , but would say nothing regarding Jalal`s gown!