One day Emir called Nasreddin Hodja and asked him, "Can you initiate my beloved ass into theology, so that he knows as much as I do?"
Hodja answered, "I know your ass, I have tested his capabilities and now I am convinced that this remarkable ass is not behind your ministers in intelligence. I will initiate him to theology and he will know as much as you know, but it will take me twenty years."
Emir ordered to give Hodja five thousand golden tangas from the treasury and said, "Take this ass and teach him, but, by Allas, if he doesn't know theology in twenty years and can't read Koran by heart, I will decapitate you!"
Hodja's friends heard about that and came to his place to sympathize with him and to reproach him for such a foolish deed.
"You can tell your head good-bye in advance!" exclaimed one of his friends. "Who ever heard of asses who know theology and read Koran by heart?"
"Don't grieve, friends," answered Nasreddin Hodja. "This is not everyday success to get five thousand golden tangas and a good ass for farming. That is a slice of good luck! And don't moan my head because within 20 years one of us will certainly die - either I or Emir or this ass. Then try to understand who of us was the best in theology!"

As distinct from Emir, Nasreddin Hodja did not forget about operational time while analyzing the situation.