red of
me。 After dragging me from city to city； this rogue didn’t tear me apart and
dispose of me as I’d feared he might； but sold me to a cultivated man in a
caravansary for a jug of wine。 Sometimes at night this unfortunate delicate…
spirited man would stare at me by candlelight and cry。 In time； he died of grief
and they sold his belongings。 Thanks to the master storyteller who purchased
me； I’ve e all the way to Istanbul。 Now； I’m most happy； and honored to
be here tonight among you； the Ottoman Sultan’s miraculously inspired；
eagle…eyed； iron…willed； elegant…wristed； sensitive…spirited miniaturists and
calligraphers—and for Heaven’s sake； I beg of you not to believe those who
claim I’ve been hastily sketched onto coarse paper by some master miniaturist
as a wall prop。
56
But hear yet what other lies； slander and brazen untruths are being spread！
You might remember how last night my master nailed the picture of a dog
here on the wall and recounted the adventures of this crass beast； and how at
the same time he told of the adventures of Husret Hoja of Erzurum！ Well now；
the admirers of His Excellency Nusret Hoja have pletely misunderstood
this story； they think he was the target of our account。 Could we have possibly
said that the great preacher； His Esteemed Excellency； was of uncertain birth？
God forbid！ Would it have even crossed our minds？ What mischief； what a
crude lie！ Clearly； Husret of Erzurum is being confused with Nusret of
Erzurum； so let me proceed to tell you the story of Cross…Eyed Nedret Hoja of
S