Target of jokes
In every country there is a a class of persons that serves as the butt of jokes. They may be an ethnic group, an interest group, politicians, lawyers, clergymen, whatever.
Usually the jokes take one of two main themes, the stupidity of the target group or their obsession with accumulating money.
In Turkey they have an individual whose real but mostly fictional exploits fill several books. His name is Nasreddin Hodja. Hodja means teacher and our hero in his lifetime back in the 13th century was a Muslim religious leader (imam), a judge and a university professor. Here’s an example of his wit and wisdom:
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One day when Hodja was going to the mosque with his mullahs he decided to ride his donkey backwards.
“Why are you riding your donkey backwards?” the mullahs asked. “You must be very uncomfortable.”
Hodja replied: “If I sat facing forward, you would be behind me. If you went in front of me, I would be behind you. Either way I would not be facing you. So, this is the most logical way.”
One day he was seen riding the donkey and carrying a bag of meal on his own back. When questioned why he had the sack on his back rather than the donkey’s he replied:
“Well, the poor animal is tired and now he is carrying me. So, I felt sorry for him and decided to save him the extra burden.”
Perhaps instead of targeting Newfies or Poles or Ukrainians or Jews or Scotsmen, we could invent a Ferdie Canuckle to carry the burden of our peculiar humor.
It works for the Turks.
