A MAN of Merv, well known as the home of complicated thinkers, ran shouting one night through the city’s streets. ‘Thief, Thief!’ he cried. The people surrounded him, and when he was a little calmer, asked: ‘Where was the thief.”’ ‘In my house.’ ‘Did you see him ?’ ‘No.’ ‘Was anything missing?’ ‘No.’ ‘How do you know there was a thief then ?’
‘I was lying in bed when I remembered that thieves break into houses without a sound, and move very quietly. I could hear nothing, so I knew that there was a thief in the house, you fool!’