Some simpletons, too busy with what they want, will first importune you and then ask for a favour. To do better than this, when you petition people start from them, not from you! Look where they are and ponder what may count for them at that given time. Care to understand them if you need their understanding.
This reminds me of a story:
Nasreddin was repairing the roof. Not easy to climb up when you are beyond your first youth.
A neighbour called him from the street.
“Hoça!”
“Yes”
“Come down, I have something important to talk with you.”
“Can’t wait?”
“It’s urgent!”
The Mullah climbed down from the roof with some pain.
“What is it?”
The neighbour whispered into his ear, confidentially:
“Can you please lend me five silver akce?”
“Come up with me.” said Nasreddin.
The man worked his way up a creaky ladder after the Hodja. This took some time. Finally on the roof he asked again:
“Can I have the money now?”
Nasreddin leaned over and whispered confidentially into his ear:
“I’m so sorry, I do not carry my purse with me when I'm repairing the roof.”
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