Afandism

The Vacant Saddle

At a courtyard gate, a terracotta-robed neighbour points into an empty stable while Afandi raises grateful palms. The neighbour questions him beside the vacant tether. Afandi points to himself and the empty stall, smiling at having escaped theft along with his donkey.

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  1. Neighbour: Why give thanks, Afandi? Thieves have stolen your donkey.

    Afandi: I have been spared a greater loss, neighbour.

  2. Neighbour: What greater loss could there be?

    Afandi: Consider who was missing from the saddle.

  3. Neighbour: What has the saddle to do with your good fortune?

    Afandi: Had I been riding him, they would have stolen me as well.

His stable stood empty, but his accounts showed a narrow escape.

· Latifa.uz #301; Boratav (1996) No. 44