HOJA THE SMUGGLER
Hoja Naziruddin was willing to take up any job or business to
earn his living. Sometimes he would go beyond the limits set by law. This time
he had taken up smuggling. He was seen several times passing the Arabian border
on his donkey. Of course, he had to pass through the customs check posts of his
country and the neighboring country. He would always be seen with the minimum
of provisions and some fodder for the
donkey. On the return journey he would casually walk in. There would not be the donkey or the fodder.
The customs men were naturally suspicious. They knew all
along that Hoja was up to any trick. So they would diligently check him , his
dress and body for anything concealed on his person. But they never could find
anything to trap him.
Hoja continued his business for a
while and had become quite affluent. Hoja expanded his business to Egypt too.
Once while in Egypt he met one senior customs officer of Arabia there. He
approached Hoja and amicably told him that the customs always knew Hoja was
doing smuggling and making money. But they had no evidence and they could not
do anything about Hoja`s business. The officer told Hoja that both of them were
then out of Arabian Jurisdiction and he wanted to quench his curiosity as to
what Hoja was smuggling. He assured Hoja that he would face no trouble on that
account. Hoja laughed aloud and revealed to the
stunned officer that he was smuggling nothing other than donkeys.