One day the Hodja lost his ring down in the basement of his house, where it was very dark. There being no chance of his finding it in that darkness, he went out on the street and started looking for it there.
Somebody passing by stopped and enquired, “What are you looking for, Hodja Effendi? Have you lost something?”
“Yes, I’ve lost my ring down in the basement.”
“But Hodja Effendi, why don’t you look for it down in the basement, where you have lost it?” asked the man in surprise.
“Don’t be silly, man! How do you expect me to find anything in that darkness!”