Mullah Nazaruddin: A House in the Air

Latif was a builder. He built houses and sold them. That is how he earned a living. Once he built a two-storeyed house. It was a big and beautiful house. A rich man called Abdul wanted to buy it. Latif wanted ten thousand coins for the house. Abdul agreed. But he had a condition."I will pay 5,000 coins now," he said. "I will possess one story of the house.  I will pay the balance five thousand coins six months later." Latif agreed. So Abdul paid him five thousand coins. He began living on the principal floor of the house. The ground floor was kept locked. Six months passed. But Latif did not pay the balance amount. "I don't have enough money," he said. "Give me another three months."

 

Months passed. But Abdul did not pay the amount. Latif was worried. He wanted the money to build another house. But Abdul did not pay.

 

At last, Latif went to Mullah Nazaruddin and told him the whole story. "I want that money," he said. "Please help me."

 

Mullah Nazaruddin thought for a while. Then he whispered something in Latif's ears. Latif was happy. "I will do that," he said.

 

Then he went to Abdul and said, "You have not paid the balance amount of five thousand coins. So, the ground floor belongs to me. I will do what I want there." "Do what you want," said Abdul. "I am happyon the principal floor." The following day, Latif came there for certain specialists.  They carried big hammers and crossbars.

 

Latif called Abdul and said, "The ground floor is mine. So I am going to break the walls." "How can you do that?" asked Abdul in anger. "If you break the walls of the ground floor, the

 

first floor will fall down. You see, my house cannot stand in the air."

 

"I don't care," said Latif. He asked his men to start work. They began to hit the walls. "Stop! Please stop!" cried out Abdul. "Don't

damage the house. I will pay you the money." So Abdul paid five thousand coins to Latif. "Presently the house is yours," said Latif.

 

Latif paid some tips to the workers. Then he went to Mullah Nazaruddin and said: "Your idea has worked. He has paid the money. Mullah, you are the wisest man in the world." Mullah smiled.