Cow Ruined the Vegetable Garden

Nasreddin Hodja was the kadi of the time. One day a neighbour came to confer with him.

`Hodja Effendi, it appears that your cow has entered into our vegetable garden and has caused considerable damage to the vegetables. What does your big black book of law say about that?'

`An animal doesn't have reason.' Nasreddin Hodja dismissed, `The owner cannot be held responsible for his animal's instinctive behaviour. No penalty is required.'

`I spoke wrong, Hodja Effendi,' the neighbour rectified, `I meant to say that our cow has entered into your vegetable garden.'

`Let's see what the law states about that!' And the Hodja reached for his big black book.