Goha's Talking Donkey

Goha heard that the Prince is looking for someone who could teach the Prince’s donkey to talk. The Prince had summoned all the teachers and wise men and anyone interested to see who can do the job. When Goha heard of this he headed to the Royal Palace and entered into the Prince’s Court. The Prince said that he noticed how intelligent his own donkey was and that he believes that with good teaching the donkey could be taught to talk. “Who among you can teach my donkey to talk?” No one responded. “It cannot be done”, replied the wise men. Goha got up and walked toward the donkey. He looked at the donkey, examined its ears and mouth, and talked to it for a while. “This is truly a very intelligent and exceptional donkey that you have here your Majesty. I am sure “he” can be taught to talk.” The Price rose up, “You can do it?”
 “Yes your majesty. But, this is going to be a very long and difficult job.”
“How long will it take?”
 “I will need 10 years.”
“Fine,” said the Prince “I’ll see you in ten years.”
“Your majesty I will have to do this job full time, day and night. I will need a salary.”
“How much?” 
“More than all these professors and wise men that could not do the job”
Granted.
”I will need to take the donkey home with me so I can teach him day and night.”
Granted.
”The donkey will need food. Not just regular donkey food but food good enough for a talking donkey, human food. I will also need money to build him a nice room to study, and another one to sleep. And supplies, school supplies, house supplies. And some extra money in case I need some other provisions.”
Granted.
The Prince’s men loaded up the donkey with all the food and supplies. The donkey could barely walk with the load on its back. Walking out the guard said, “You know what will happen if 10 years from now the donkey is not talking?”
“I know. I’ll be beheaded”, he said without hesitation
Goha arrived home with the donkey loaded with all sorts of goodies and supplies and gold coins. Goha’s wife could not believe her eyes. “How did you get all this?” He told his wife the whole story. She was terrified.
Goha: “Woman we will be rich. Why are you so mad?”
Wife: How are you going to teach this donkey to talk?
Goha: I know it’s a very tough job. But I have 10 years. Ten years is a very long time. Just stop worrying and enjoy our riches.

Wife: So what happens 10 years from now if the donkey is not talking?
Goha: 10 years from now either I will be dead or the Prince will be dead, or the donkey will be dead.

Goha's Nail

Goha is believed to have lived in Mesopotamia (currently Iraq). He could well be a fictional character. His stories combine wisdom with humor. His stories are well known in Egypt folklore and some might have been added locally. Some stories are so well known that you might hear someone say “I am afraid this issue is going to become Goha’s nail.” Here is the story of Goha’s Nail

Goha had to rent out his house for some reason. Maybe it was court ordered, or perhaps he owed money to some mean people. He didn’t want to rent out his house but he agreed to rent the house and all the furnishings with one condition. There was one nail on the wall inside the house that is not to be part of the deal. He told the tenants, “You may use anything in this house any way you like except for this nail. It is mine. You can’t hang anything on it or do anything to it. You can’t move it.” The tenants agreed thinking, “Fine, no big deal”. The rent is to be paid up front. No refunds. If they decide to move out early they lose the rent. Goha had to live with some of his relatives. Next day Goha knocked on the door of his house.

What do you want?

I am here to check on my nail.

Nail is fine.

I just need to take a quick look at it to make sure everything is OK.

Fine, come on in.

Next day, the same thing; and the next day, and the next day.

They got tired of this and went to the judge. Goha told the judge, “This nail is mine. It is not rented to these tenants. I need to check on it.” The judge said Goha has a right to check on his property.

 After that Goha started coming twice a day, and then three times a day. He started knocking on the door in the middle of the night. The tenants had no choice. They moved out. And Goha moved back home and lived happily ever after.

(Contrary to the story as quoted in some sources, Goha  did not tell the tenants that he will be coming to check on the nail.)