An Islamic folk tale.

To engage participants in the storytelling, ask for three volunteers to pantomime the actions of Mullah Nasruddin, his neighbor, and the donkey.

One day, a neighbor whom Mullah Nasruddin didn't like came to see him. The neighbor asked Nasruddin, "May I borrow your donkey?"

Nasruddin did not want to lend his donkey to the neighbor he didn't like. So, he told him, "I would be very glad to loan you my donkey. Unfortunately, my brother came yesterday and asked me the same favor. He has taken my donkey to the next town, to carry his wheat harvest to the mill for grinding into flour. Sadly, the donkey is not here."

"Oh, too bad. Thanks, anyway," said the neighbor. And he turned around to go home.

The neighbor had taken only a few steps when Mullah Nasruddin's donkey, which was in the back of his compound all the time, let out a big, loud bray.

The neighbor turned back around. "Mullah Nasruddin," he said, " I thought you said your donkey was not here."

"He is not," said Mullah Nasruddin.

"But I just heard him bray!" said the neighbor.

Mullah Nasruddin turned to the neighbor and said, "My friend, who are you going to believe? Me, or a donkey?"