The Three Arrows of Excuse: A Nasrudin Tale for Failed Teachers

 

The fair was in full swing when ‘Nasrudin’s senior disciple asked if he and his fellow students might visit it.

"Certainly," said ‘Nasrudin’, "for this is an ideal opportunity to continue practical teaching."

The ‘Mulla’ headed straight for the shooting gallery—one of the fair's great attractions, where large prizes were offered for even a single bulls eye. As ‘Nasrudin’ and his flock appeared, townsfolk gathered around. When the ‘Mulla’ himself took up the bow and three arrows, tension mounted. Surely, they thought, this would prove ‘Nasrudin’ had finally overreached himself.

"Study me attentively," said the ‘Mulla’. He flexed the bow, tilted his cap back like a soldier, took careful aim, and fired. The arrow flew wide of the mark.

A roar of derision erupted from the crowd. ‘Nasrudin’s pupils stirred uneasily, muttering among themselves. The ‘Mulla’ turned and faced them.

"Silence! This was a demonstration of how a soldier shoots—often wide of the mark. That is why he loses wars. The moment I fired, I became the soldier, thinking, I am a warrior firing at the enemy."

He picked up the second arrow, nocked it, and tweaked the string. The arrow fell short, landing halfway to the target. The crowd fell silent.

"Now," said ‘Nasrudin’, "you have seen the shot of a man too eager to shoot, yet who—having failed his first attempt—became too nervous to concentrate. The arrow fell short."

Even the stallholder was captivated by these explanations. The ‘Mulla’ turned casually toward the target, drew his bow, and released the third arrow. It struck the bullseye’s exact center.

Deliberately, he surveyed the prizes, selected the one he preferred, and began to walk away. A clamor arose.

"Silence!" said ‘Nasrudin’. "Let one of you ask what you all wish to know."

For a moment, no one spoke. Then a yokel shuffled forward. "We want to know... which of you fired the third shot?"

 ‘That? Oh, that was me.’