One day, Akbar said, “Birbal, I have a challenge for you.” Birbal asked, “What is it, Your Majesty?” Akbar said, “Bring two persons to the court tomorrow. The first person should be extremely grateful and loyal.” Birbal said, “How should the second person be?” Akbar smiled and said, “The second person should be the exact opposite. He should be an extremely ungrateful person who takes all favours for granted and keeps complaining, for he can never be satisfied.” All the courtiers thought of this as an extremely difficult challenge and thought Birbal would lose. Next day, Birbal came to the court with his dog and his son-in-law. He pointed towards his dog and said, “My dog is grateful and faithful.” Akbar said, “Who is this man?” Birbal said, “He is my son-in-law. He is always ungrateful and keeps complaining.” Akbar clapped his hands and gave Birbal many gifts.
A Tale of Opposites
