I firstly got to know Nasreddin Hodja, when I was a secondary student in Zaman International School in Phnom Penh, Cambodia. In my Turkish class, I learned to read and translated the funny stories of Nasreddin Hodja. I learned that not only Turkey that have those stories; but the stories were shared among many countries in central Asia and also part of eastern Europe. At that time, I also had a Nasreddin Hodja short story book in English.
When I came to continue my master's degree in Turin, Italy. I get to know many Turkish friends. They are really nice people, they make the real friendship that last until nowadays. One among my best Turkish friends is Suat, his name means to spray water. He was staying with me in a Dorm called Domus. He was doing his art class in the university of fine art in Italy. He is a sculptor; actually he had a degree in art already; but since Italy is know for their great art; thus he comes to take another degree here. I told him about my interest with Nasreddin Hodja and also other things that I have known about Turkey. Suat like my food, and especially steam fish. He always cooked for me and asked me to cook for him as well.
After a vacation, he came to me with Turkish desert, baklava ... etc; and the most precious gift, was a small statue of Nasreddin Hodja and a small model of Hangia Sofia (Aya Sofia). He gave me those gift on the 5th of June 2011; normally in Turkey in the hometown of Nasreddin Hodja, they celebrates the International Nasreddin Hodja fest from the 5th to 10th of July every year. Thus he gave me the small gift one month before the festival took place.
It has been 6 years already; but I still have the gift with me. It is a really special gift for me, especially when you get that from your Turkish friend! :)
In Southeast Asia, in Cambodia, Thailand and Laos, we share a funny and wise man story, which is called Thanun Jei or Sri Thanon Chai or Sieng Mieang. You may follow the link to learn more about that. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sri_Thanonchai
