Gainful way to loose a wager

The pinnacle of commerce is to earn from loss. Try to think like this (at times): “What could I gain by losing this?” This reminds me of a story:

Timur was open-handed with his courtiers but somehow he would always take more than he gave. One whispered that he would give with both hands but take with his feet too. To put it short, Nasreddin the jester wasn’t earning much money in spite of his much appreciated entertainment and advice. This is why Tamerlane was intrigued to find out at one time that his Hodja was throwing expensive parties with many guests and giving alms to the poor of Samarkand. The Emir had Nasreddin called to explain.

“I hear that you spend lavishly and indulge in philanthropy. Are you stealing me?”

“Certainly not, kind Master, how could I dare such a thing? I spend my own.”

“From whom do you obtain so much money?”

Nasreddin leaned forward confidentially and muttered,

“I indulge in the sin of betting with rich people and I am winning every time.”

Tamerlane who was known to drink, lie and kill people was also possessed by the secret urge of gambling. He took the Mullah aside and asked in a low voice,

“You saw my luck. Would you still bet against me a thousand silver akce stamped with my own sign?”

“If your pleasure is to lay a wager with me, I dare claim for this money that tonight your Greatness will grow that blue spot - the mark of Genghis Khan, your ancestor - in form of a small full moon, on, (forgive me to mention the place), your upper left buttock.”

Tamerlane, who was certain to win, and who also liked any allusion to Genghis being his ancestor, was very pleased: “Agreed!”, he said. “Keep your money ready!

That night Timur checked at least five times – with a silver mirror – that there was no full moon on his hindquarters.

At daybreak - having said his prayers - the great ruler honoured in person Nasreddin’s modest dwelling and claimed the money.

“You lost, worm. I win, as I always do.”

“A bet is a bet, Master. Let’s see together.”

Tamerlane rose his tunic and let down for an instant his shalwar. It was obvious that there was everything needed but no mark of Genghis. The Mullah handed over a sack of one thousand akcse. The Emir left very pleased with this easy win.

Later at court Nasreddin looked so shamelessly happy that Timur had to ask,

“Do you still have money left to look so satisfied?”

“Three times what I had before, O, Lord of the fortunate conjunction of the stars!”

“How is that possible?”

“I lost one bet, with you, but I won another, Master. I laid a wager with your Vizier, four thousand silver akcse, that your Majesty will let down his trousers in my presence and show his buttocks.”