Release date is 2009-12-02

How the Hodja saved Allah -- Better is the folly of woman than the wisdom of man -- The Hanoum and the unjust Cadi -- What happended to Hadji, a merchant of the Bezestan -- How the junkman travelled to find treasure in his own yard -- How Chapkin Halid became chief detective -- How cobbler Ahmet became the chief astrologer -- The wise son of Ali Pasha -- The merciful Khan -- King Kara-Kush of Bithynia -- The prayer rug and the dishonest steward -- The goose, the eye, the daughter and the arm -- The forty wise men -- How the priest knew that it would snow -- Who was the thirteenth son? -- Paradise sold by the yard -- Jew turned Turk -- The metamorphosis -- The Calif Omar -- Kalaidji Avram of Balata -- How Mehmet Ali Pasha of Egypt administered justice -- How the farmer learned to cure his wife, a Turkish Aesop -- The language of birds -- The swallow's advice -- We know not what the dawn may bring forth -- Old men made young -- The bribe -- How the Devil lost his wager -- The effects of Raki.

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"Told in the Coffee House: Turkish Tales" by Cyrus Adler and Allan Ramsay is a collection of Turkish folktales written in the late 19th century. This compilation draws on the oral storytelling traditions prevalent in the coffee houses of Constantinople, showcasing various narratives that reflect the culture, wisdom, and humor of the Turkish people. The tales feature a range of characters, including wise old men, clever peasants, and humorous Hodjas, who provide insight into moral lessons and societal norms through their adventures. At the start of the book, the preface introduces the cultural significance of storytelling in coffee houses, where discussions often lead to tales marked by a mix of whimsy and profound wisdom. The initial story features a venerable Hodja who, after teaching his students about charity, decides to give away his savings in faith of divine reward. However, as hunger sets in following his generosity, he finds himself in a comical predicament with a fearsome Fakir Dervish. This setup not only illustrates the themes of faith and folly but also sets the tone for the witty, thought-provoking narratives that follow, blending humor with life lessons that are characteristic of traditional Turkish storytelling. (This is an automatically generated summary.)

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