A Universal Story

Once upon a time, an old man, called Nasredin Hoca, was
travelling with his beloved donkey, from Turkey to Italy.
One day, during his trip, Nasredin decided to stop for a while, to replenish food and water. There he met a child, sitting on a rock, the boy was wearing a white shirt a black vest and short, red trousers. The boy was alone and Nasredin asked him "Why are you alone, what's your name?"The boy laughed loud!!!!
Nasdredin Hoca got on his donkey the wrong way, facing towards the back.
The boy asked Hoca, "Why are you sitting on your donkey backwards?"
"No", he replied, "It isn't that I'm sitting on the donkey backwards, the donkey is facing in the wrong way".
At the point, the little boy said: "Well, I am Pinocchio and I'm looking for gold coins, I've heard about a treasure buried, somewhere, on a turkish mountain. I'd like to take some gold coins and bring them to Italy".

The boy wanted to buy a new coat for is father. "And what's your name, my friend? Where are you going? Can I come with you?", asked the puppet in a low voice. The man replied: "Oh, I'm sorry! I didn't even introduce myself! I'm Nasreddin Hoca, and I'm going to Italy, I've always wanted to visit Italy, and I'm sure there's a lot to see and to do.

But, dear child, are your parents still alive?" Pinocchio replied: "My father is, but I've never known my mother".
So, both decided to travel together and the man put the boy on the donkey and they went on their way. They hadn't gone far when they met a young man, his name was Pacala, the young man was desperate, because he couldn't understand the symbols written on some papers.

Suddenly, Hoca,called out: “Hey man, what are you doing? “
"Let us know if there's anything we can do to help?”
The young man was not sure he could trust them.

Pacala was looking for a hidden treasure, gold and jewels, he thought the best thing he could do, was accepting help.
Pacala informed Hoca and Pinocchio, about the presence of a hidden treasure.

Both, Pinocchio and Nasreddin tried to read the paper, the notes on the paper were all written in a secret code, but Hocak new the secret code, and they followed the instructions laid out on the paper.

After a few hours of searching, they managed to find a cave, in front of the cave there was an enormously strong one-eyed sleeping giant. Nassredin told his friends that he had heard about a greatgiant “Tartalo” which had slain, murdered and devoured much people of the country. They didn’t know how to enter the cave, without awaking the giant, but Pinocchio had an idea. The little boy thought they could dug a deep hole in the ground and catch the giant.
They dug a hole and covered the top, so when the giant would walk over it, he would be caught in the trap.
Suddenly, the giant awoke, and said: “I smell fresh meat!”

Pinocchio suggested his friends Nassredin and Pacala, to hide he would talk with Tartalo because he can’t eat him as he is wooden. They agrred.
So “hey big man, what are you looking for?” shouted Pinocchio.

“ I smell fresh meat, and I am so hungry . I am looking for some fresh meat?” answered Tartalo.
The little child said “ I don’t have meat, but I have this beautiful red apple. It is very delicious, please take this.”
The giant was suprised, how a little child could be brave enough to talk to him. Nobody had talked to him before and this boy was very lovely. He took the apple from him.” I have never eaten any fruit before but I like your friendship and will try it”.

Pinocchio was clever. He wanted to gain the giant’s trust. My friends and I are poor but we have some more fruit we can give it to you. You are very strong and you look to be a good man.”
The giant felt mercy to the child. “Who are your friends? Where are they?” asked him. The child talked softly ” Nassretin and Pacala are my friends. They are very kind. They help me , because I am a child. Without them I can’t come here . We aren’t strong but you are. They are afraid of you, please be good to us. I want to find the gold coins for my old dad. I want to make him happy. And I am sure you have a big heart . You will help us while searching the treasure”. A drop of tear came from Tartalo’s eye. He became sorry for the child and wanted to be good. “Sure, I will little boy. Call your friends.”