What will I say?

The master makes people learn without teaching. Have a light hand! Cause the folks to put their heads together and explain each other what they know, while you keep silent. Many a little knowledge adds up under a skilled hand. Understanding will surface like oil on the water. Then, if you still have something needed to say, speak, spared of repeating the already known. This reminds me of a story:

Nasreddin was now a reputed sage.

The day came when he decided to walk back and bring a tear of remembrance to native Horto, the village of his first childhood slap.

The news was fast to spread over the fences. The elder of Horto, flattered by the visit of the great man hurried to bid him:

"Pray, master, do come and share your wisdom with the people!"

"Be it" he answered.

At the heart of the market, duly mounted on a huge festive barrel Hoça addressed the crowd.

"People of Horto" he started, "do you know what I will say to you?"

"Yes we do", shouted some impertinent youngsters.

"You do!" Hoça grew red in the face and left grumbling: "As you cannot add a drop into a full cup, I have nothing to say to people who know everything. Arrogant fools!"

After this unhappy event, the notables came again to the Hodja and insisted with their humblest apologies.

"Have patience Maulana, have patience with the simple in spirit! Come again to serve the victory of Religion and impart your wisdom to the people!"

Nasreddin, generous, accepted.

It happens that the next day, a pleasant afternoon perfumed by a gentle breeze, when Hoça mounted to his improvised pulpit, he asked again,

"People of Horto, do you know what I will tell you?"

Better prepared, some voices rose,

"No, we don't know a thing."

This appeared to be just too much for the teacher.

"Ignorant crowd! Nothing can be built on nothing! You are hopeless!" And he left.

That evening the delegation came again to intercede with the angry Mullah.

"Wise one" they said "have mercy, don't let your people in the darkness! Please, please try a last time, come to the mosque and let us see the light!" And he accepted.

Next day, when Hoça rose to the minbar, a silence fell upon the crowd. And he asked,

"People of Horto! Do you know what I will tell you?"

Now the villagers were puzzled on how to deal with this difficult master. Shyly, some voices advanced,

"Well, some of us do but some of us don't."

"Aha!" exulted the Mullah. "Then, let those of you who know, tell those who don't!" And he left.