Black Beard and White Hair

             There was an old Mahomedan. He was well-known in his locality for his long beard. Both his hair and beard were grey. But he had a wish to look younger than his years. So he was in the habit of dyeing his beard black. But as hair on his head was covered by his turban, he left it as it was.

             One hot day the old Mahomedan fell asleep, and his turban rolled off, leaving his white head exposed. It was indeed a funny sight. It excited laughter from his friends who saw it. One of his friends said to the old Mahomedan, “How funny it is! You have a fine young black beard, but old white hair on your head! “

             But the old Mahomedan had a great presence of mind. He cleverly replied “My friend, there is nothing strange in this. My beard is younger than my hair by some twenty years. So it is young at forty, while my hair is old and white at sixty.”