Repaying a Debt

Dedicated to Shaliza Anuar of Utusan Malaysia, who still owes me RM500
since February 2003



The Hodja (teacher) was selling olives at the market and business was
slow. He called to a woman who was passing by and tried to entice her.
She shook her head and told him she didn't have any money with her.

"No problem," the Hodja grinned, "You can pay me later."

She still looked hesitant, so he offered her one to taste. "Oh no, I
can't, I'm fasting," she responded.

"Fasting? But Ramadan was 6 months ago!"

"Yes, well, I missed a day and I'm making it up now. Go ahead and give
me a kilo of the black olives."

"Forget it!" shouted the Hodja, "If it took you 6 months to pay back a
debt you owed ALLAH, who knows when you'll get around to paying me!"