The Lesson on Humanity

The teacher called Little Mulla Nasrudin to the front of the class. "Nasrudin," the teacher commanded, "recite the famous poem about Human Empathy." Little Mulla stood by the chalkboard and began to recite:

"Human beings are members of a whole, In creation of one essence and soul. If one member is afflicted with pain, Other members uneasy will remain..."

Suddenly, Mulla stopped. "Well?" the teacher barked. "Read the rest of it!" "I... I can't remember," Mulla stammered. "What do you mean?" the teacher snapped. "You couldn't memorize such a simple poem?" Little Mulla looked down. "I’m sorry. I’ve had a hard time lately. My mother is sick in bed, my father is working double shifts to pay the medical bills, and I have to do all the housework and take care of my little siblings." The teacher scoffed. "Sorry? That's it? Everyone has problems, kid. That is no excuse for not doing your homework. Your personal struggles are irrelevant to me!" At that exact moment, Little Mulla looked the teacher in the eye and finished the poem:

"If you have no sorrow for the suffering of others, You don't deserve to be called a human!"