FEMALE OF THE SPECIES
One day, Sultan Temur came to Akshehir with his army which included many elephants. He gave one of these to the people of Akshehir to look after, but the poor people of the town were unable to do this.
As they were afraid of the Sultan, they went to the Hodja and asked him to go to the Sultan as their representative.
“Alright”, said the Hodja, “but I've one condition. Twenty of you must come with me.”
So, the Hodja in front and the others behind, they departed on their way. But during the journey one after the other, they fled. The Hodja, believing that they were following him went to the Sultan. He entered the tent alone.When the Sultan asked him, why he had come, the Hodja replied:
“The people of our town...”
And indicated with his hand where he believed the people to be. Then he saw that he was alone and continued bravely.
“Yes the people of our town... have taken pity on the elephant and if it is a female they want a male, and if it is a male they want a female so that it will have company.”
The Sultan was very pleased and said:
“As it is male, I will give you a female.”
When the Hodja went out, he saw the people who had run away.
“What has happened”, they asked.
And the Hodja replied;
“Good news, the female of the species will come also, it's on the way.”