The City of Clever Men

The City of Clever Men

Once there was a padishah who had a contest organized in order to determine which city in his realm produced the most capable men. He had a big cauldron full of food cooked for this occasion, and he had this put in the middle of the square. He had a large spoon made that was twenty meters long, and he put this spoon in the cauldron. He then had his town criers announce the following: ''Whoever can feed himself with this twenty¬ meter long spoon by holding it at the handle end will be rewarded.''
Many people tried it, but they all realized that it was impossible to feed themselves in the manner prescribed by the padishah. Finally two men came along who requested the padishah to provide another poon of exactly the same kind. A second spoon, also twenty-meters long, was made.
When this new spoon was produced, the two men took it and began to feed each other with the two spoons. They were, in this way, able to perform the feat which the padishah had required. After this contest was over the padishah called them to his presence and asked, ''Where are you men from?''
The men replied, ''We are from Kayseri."