Once upon a time, there was a man who lived in a village where everyone knew everyone else and everyone was welcome for dinner. He had never been out of his village, but his friends, who traveled a lot, said: "You have to go to the city. It's nice there and there are things you've never seen before." He finally decided to go and see the city. It was a long way and when he finally got there, he was hungry. He walked through the streets, gazing at the magnificent houses and palaces. He saw mosques and huge bazaars, but he was plagued by one thing above all: his hunger. He had brought some sheep's cheese from home and now needed a few more nan, flatbreads, to fill him up. He passed a bakery. He asked for five flatbreads, put the sheep's cheese on them and ate everything with relish. Then he asked for water, washed his hands and face and left the store.

"Stop!" shouted the baker, "you haven't paid yet!"

"What should I pay for?" asked the man.

"For the five flatbreads!" replied the baker angrily.

The man thought about it, then said: "My friends come and eat at my place every day, but no one has ever paid for the flatbread. If that changes, I'll bring you the money". Then he turned around and walked away.

Kurdisches Märchen, Fassung Djamila Jaenike, nach: L.-C.Wentzel ,Kurdische Märchen 1978, englische Fassung Lysander Jaenike ©Mutabor Märchenstiftung