One day repairing tiles on his roof Hodja faintly heard a knock on his door. “What do you want?” Hodja shouted. “Come down, so I can speak to you,” replied the stranger.
Hodja unwillingly and slowly climbed down the ladder. “Well, what’s the important matter? ”
“Could you give a little money to me, a poor, reverent old man?” begged stranger.
Hodja said to follow him up the ladder. After great effort, both Hodja and the beggar reached the roof. Hodja replied, “the answer is no.”