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He is a folk hero of the Seljuk
period who was born in Sivrihisar and lived in
Aksehir. He received religious education first
from his father who was an imam and later at a
theological school. He also worked as an imam for
a period of time.
Hoca's view of the world and his
opinions on the essential or even metaphysical
questions of life are frank, natural and often
disarmingly candid. Straightforward common sense
is one of the secrets of his oriental wisdom and
solace.
As a philosophic
humorist he became the symbol of people's
creativity and sense of humor of his time. His
witticisms have become popular sayings and are
quoted in everyday conversations. These can be
regarded as anonymous folk jokes. Here are some
examples:
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Who are you going to
believe?
One day a
friend wants to borrow Hoca's donkey. Hoca does
not want to lend it and tells him that his donkey
is not there.
In the meantime
the donkey starts to bray. The man says:
"But Hoca, I can hear the donkey! It's in
the stable." Hoca stays cool and answers
with dignity: "Who are you going to believe,
me or the donkey?"
In the shop
Hoca goes to
the market to buy some trousers. After trying on
a few pairs he chooses some trousers and tells
the salesman to wrap them. Right after they are
wrapped he changes his mind and wants the
salesman to give him a shirt instead. He takes
the packaged shirt and walks off. The salesman
calls him:
"-Sir, you
haven't paid for the shirt yet." To which
Hoca replies,
"-But I
left you the trousers."
"-You
didn't pay for the trousers either!",
exclaims the salesman.
"-Of
course not! Why should I pay for trousers that I
didn't get." concludes Hoca.
None of your business
A man gossips
to Hoca:
"-Hoca, I
saw them taking a big plate of stuffed
turkey."
"-It's
none of my business, replies Hoca."
"-But I
think they were taking it to your house."
"-Then,
it's none of your business!" says Hoca.
Question
A neighbor asks
Hoca: "Why do you always answer a question
with another question?" He replies: "Do
I?"
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