Pitcher

One day Nasreddin Hodja had to send his son to the fountain to fill up their big, earthenware water pitcher. After handing the pitcher to his son, he slapped him on the face.

`Don't break the pitcher!' he said. People around who witnessed this, showed their disapproval.

`Hodja effendi, the kid didn't break the pitcher,' they said, `he didn't even leave for the fountain yet. Why did you slap him?'

`Ah, but, you see,' the Hodja replied, `if I slap him after he breaks the pitcher, it will be too late!'