Intermingled

The children of the neighborhood were in the mood for a little mischief. They sat by the stream and put their feet in the water. When Nasaruddin Hodja was passing by, they cried for help.

`Hodja, Hodja! Please help us.' They were screaming all at once.

`Our feet are all mixed up, we don't know which is which. We cannot go home if we don't find our feet. Come help us figure out which foot belongs to whom!'

Nasaruddin Hodja was not going to be outwitted by children.

`Yes, I understand.' he said amiably, `That happens sometimes. But don't worry, I know a solution.'

Then he grabbed a fallen branch and got into the water himself. He started to lash the kids about the legs. Each child that felt the brusque touch of the twig, jumped out of the water with a shriek and ran away.

`A-ha!' The Hodja said, `You see, now you have all found your respective feet!'