The finest Brinjals!

Once upon a time, when Mullah Nasruddin Hodja was the royal court's cook, he was known for cooking dishes that catered to the Emperor's every whim.

One day, the Emperor declared, "I'm tired of eating meat curries. For a while, I only want to eat vegetables."

Hodja made the necessary arrangements. He brought the finest brinjals and prepared a delicious curry for the Emperor.

The Emperor tasted it and exclaimed in surprise, "Hodja, I think this brinjal is the king of all vegetables!"

Hodja agreed immediately, "Indeed, Your Highness! Its flavour is truly extraordinary."

The Emperor continued, "The aroma and taste of this curry are unparalleled by any other vegetable."

Hodja nodded in agreement again, "You are right, Your Highness. This is the undisputed number one in the world of vegetables."

And so, for a week, brinjal curry became the main dish. However, after eating it continuously, the Emperor lost his interest in the curry.

When the Emperor saw the brinjal curry on the dining table for the second week, he got angry. "I have never seen such a tasteless vegetable!" he said.

Hodja replied, "You are absolutely right, Your Highness, the brinjal has no taste whatsoever."

The Emperor grew more annoyed. "Anyone who eats this curry is a fool!"

Hodja supported this, too. "Indeed, Your Highness, a complete idiot."

Then, the Emperor remembered what Hodja had said last week. "Hodja, last week, you said the exact opposite!"

Without a moment's hesitation, Hodja replied, "That is also true, Your Highness. Because I am not a servant of the brinjal. I am your humble servant."

The Emperor burst out laughing, and Hodja joined him.