Question

How Much Does Steam Cost?
retold by Kelly Morrow

1

The clip-clop of hooves plodding down the dusty street came to a halt as Mullah1 Nasreddin stopped his donkey outside of Masud's teahouse.

2

"Salaam!"2 Masud, the teahouse owner, greeted the kind old man, who was known far and wide as the wise, witty teacher and judge.

3

"Salaam!" answered Mullah Nasreddin. "I have just returned from the bazaar. It is hot, and I am thirsty."

4

Masud led Mullah Nasreddin to a table in the cool shade and gestured for him to sit on a wooden bench. Soon, Mullah Nasreddin was licking his spoon of any remaining drops of fresh yogurt. He lifted his teacup to his mouth and savored the last drop of minty sweetness. His belly satisfied, his eyes began to droop.

5

The rich fragrance of steaming stew drifting on the air meant much more to Abdul Ali, who, with an empty belly, was slowly walking past the teahouse. Tucked under his arm he carried his one loaf of bread—his only food for the day.

6

Inside the teahouse, Abdul Ali took the dry loaf in his hands and held it above the kettle directly in the path of the aromatic steam, where it could soak in all of the mouthwatering flavors of the stew.

7

Masud stormed over to him with his hand outstretched.

8

"Now you must pay me for what you took!" he demanded.

9

"For what I took?" responded Abdul Ali.

10

"You must pay me for the steam from my stew!" ordered Masud.

11

Out of the corner of his eye, Abdul Ali saw Mullah Nasreddin rubbing his sleepy eyes and listening. He appealed, "Gracious Mullah, wise teacher and judge, you be the one to decide this dilemma between us."

12

"Yes, gracious Mullah. Whatever you say will be the right way," Masud also pleaded.

13

Mullah Nasreddin listened as the two told their stories once again. "I will pay the bill for Abdul Ali," replied the mullah. "Masud, you quoted the price for a full bowl of stew, but I will pay for the steam that flavored Abdul Ali's dry bread."

14

The mullah took out the moneybag and carefully counted out three coins. Standing near the table, he held the coins in his fist high in the air above his head.

15

One by one he let go of each coin, letting them drop to the table with a clink and bounce away. Annoyed, Masud stooped to retrieve the coins, but the mullah was faster. Bending over quickly, he scooped up the coins in one hand and dropped them back into his moneybag, which he then tucked firmly into his broad belt.

16

"What are you doing? That is my money!" shouted Masud angrily.

17

"Your money? That is my money. Steam and sound are like brothers who float together upon the air. The sound of the coins clinking on the table have paid you well for the steam of the stew rising from your kettle."

1. mullah: A Muslim judge or teacher

2. salaam: A greeting that means peace

Kelly Morrow, Cricket Magazine, © by Cricket Media, Inc. Reproduced with permission.

4Question 4
Which paragraph develops the theme that greed leads to negative consequences?

A.
paragraph 5
B.
paragraph 9
C.
paragraph 3
D.
paragraph 15

Answer 1

D. paragraph 15

This paragraph shows Masud's anger and loss when the mullah tricks him out of the coins, illustrating the negative consequence of Masud's greed.