If you have sons, take care that
you do not give them the name of Eiioub (Job).' 'Why, O Cogia?' cried
the people. 'Lest the quality should accompany the name,' he replied,
'and they should all become ips (ropes).'
One day as the Cogia was performing ablution, he found he had not
sufficient water. When the hour of prayer came on, he stood like a goose
on one foot. 'O Cogia Efendi,' said the people, 'why do you do so?'
'Because,' said the Cogia, 'this foot has not performed ablution.'
One day a man arriving, became the guest of the Cogia. It happened at
night, some time after they had lain down, that the light went out. 'O
Cogia Efendi,' said the guest, 'the taper is gone out. But there is a
taper on your right side; pray bring it, and let us light it.' 'Surely
you must be a fool,' said the Cogia. 'How should I know my right side in
the dark?'
One day they said to the Cogia, 'Pray what may be your horoscope?' Said
the Cogia, 'I was born under the sign of the He-goat.' 'O Cogia,' said
they, 'there is no such sign as the He-goat.' Said the Cogia, 'When I
was a child my mother had my horoscope taken, and at that time the Kid
was in the ascension.' 'O Cogia,' said they, 'that's all right; but a
kid is one thing and a he-goat is another.' Said the Cogia, 'O you
simpletons! Forty or fifty years have passed since then.
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