Before the Jug Breaks

One day Nasreddin Hodja's little daughter was going to the fountain to fetch water. In her hands was her mother's favourite clay jug. The Hodja stopped his daughter at the door and, wagging his finger, gave her a long list of warnings:

"My girl, be very careful with this jug. Don't run on the way, don't step on stones, don't swing the jug. When you play with the girls at the fountain, don't put the jug on the ground. Hold it with both hands on the way back. Don't you dare break it!"

Just then the Hodja's neighbour was passing by the door. He was surprised: "Hodja, the girl hasn't broken the jug yet! Why are you scolding her already?"

The Hodja stroked his beard: "Neighbour, what good is getting angry and scolding after the jug is broken? The jug will be broken, and the girl will be upset. I'm telling her now so that the jug never breaks."

The neighbour smiled: "Hodja, you're right, but perhaps you said a little too much. Look, the girl is trembling with fright." The Hodja turned and looked at his daughter. She was gripping the jug tightly with both hands, and her eyes were full of tears. At once the Hodja bent down and stroked her head: "Don't be afraid, my girl. Even if it breaks, it doesn't matter; a jug is just a piece of clay. Just be careful, that's all."

The girl felt better, smiled and went to the fountain. She walked carefully, filled the jug, and carried it home holding it with both hands. The jug did not break.

That evening the Hodja told his wife what had happened. His wife laughed: "Husband, it's good to warn a child beforehand, but not to frighten her. You have to give her confidence too." The Hodja nodded: "You're right, wife. Today I learned two things: it's good to warn before a mistake. But it's even better to warn with love."