One day, Birbal saw his neighbour, Raghuram, yelling at a fortune-teller, asking him to go away. Birbal asked the fortune-teller, “Why did he drive you out?” The fortune-teller said, “I asked him to stop being greedy as that would lead to his downfall. I advised him to donate alms to the poor. How could I hide the bitter truth?” “We shall offer him a dose of sweet truth,” said Birbal, and whispered his plan. Next day, the fortune-teller walked by Raghuram’s house, disguised as an old man. Raghuram welcomed him. After studying his palm, the fortune-teller said, “You are fortunate, son! If you give alms to the poor, you will be highly prosperous!” Raghuram was happy with what he heard. He gave the fortune-teller a bag of gold coins. The fortune-teller met Birbal and said, “Thank you for teaching me that more than the truth, it’s how you present it. That matters a lot.”
A Touch of Sweetness
