ther, and getting up went away.
Said the Cogia's wife, 'O Cogia, why did you drive the matrons away by
using such words to them?' 'Don't you fear, wife,' said the Cogia, 'if
they go through the whole country they will not find a girl of this
description; so let them go and come back. But to tell you the truth, if
I had not praised the cow in this manner, I should have found no
purchaser for her.'

One day Cogia Nasr Eddin Efendi, as he was winding the muslin of his
turban, perceived that it was not long enough; he again tried all he
could to bring it to a point, but in vain. The Cogia in great distress
took the muslin, and going to the public mart, put it up to auction.
Whilst it was being bid for, a person came and bought it. Whereupon the
Cogia going softly up to him, said, 'Brother, don't take that thick
thing; it is too short for a turban; you can't bring it to a point.'

One day an individual coming to the Cogia said, 'Something for my good
news, Cogia Efendi. You have a son born to you.' 'If I have a son born
to me,' said the Cogia, 'I owe thanks to God, but what do I owe to you?'

One day a man coming to the Cogia asked him for the loan of his ass.
'Stay here,' said the Cogia, 'whilst I go and consult the animal. If the
ass is willing to be lent, I will let you have him.' Thereupon he went
in, and after staying for a time came out and said, 'The ass is not
willing, and has said to me, "If you lend me to others I shall overhear
all the evil things that they say of your wife."'

One day the Cogia, mounting his ass, set off for his garden; on the road,
wanting to make water, he took off his woollen vest, and placing it on
the pack-saddle of his ass, he went aside. A thief coming up took the
woollen vest and ran away with it. The Cogia returning saw that the vest
was gone; whereupon taking the pack-saddle from the back of the ass, he
put it upon his own shoulders, and giving the ass a cut with his whip, he
said, 'You lost my vest, so I take your saddle.'

One day Cogia Nasr Eddin Efendi, mounting his ass, again set out; on the
way, wanting to make water, he again laid his vest upon the ass, and went
aside. A person who had his eye upon him, instantly seized the vest and
ran away; just at that time the ass began to bray. The Cogia hearing
him, shouted out, 'The ass brays: the ass cries--no good sign.' The
person, however, hearing the braying and the shouting, cast the vest upon
the ground and made his