One day, Akbar said to his courtiers, “I grant you all a day’s holiday to visit the annual fair.” Everyone thanked Akbar and left for the fair. Birbal went to the fair along with his family. There, Birbal saw a learned man. The man was actually a thief. He befriended Birbal. Soon, he was awestruck […]
One morning, Akbar and Birbal were strolling in the royal garden. Many fruit trees, flowering plants and shrubs grew in the garden. The fragrance of the flowers pervaded the air. Akbar and Birbal were talking to each other and walked into the part of the garden where the gardener was at work. They watched him
There was a temple on a hill. The priest of the temple was very old. One day, he passed away. When Akbar heard the news, he sent Birbal to choose the next priest. Birbal stood at the foot of the hill and told the candidates, “Climb up the hill and meet me in the temple
Birbal had a troublesome neighbour. He was jealous of Birbal and always tried to create problems for him. One day, the neighbour let his bull loose in the same pasture where Birbal’s cattle were grazing. The bull killed one of Birbal’s oxen. Birbal’s servant came running to him and gave him the news. Birbal took
One day, Akbar asked, “Birbal! What is friendship?” Birbal said, “There were two friends named Ali and Sikander. They had a fight and Sikander slapped Ali. Ali felt bad. He wrote in the sand, ‘Today my friend slapped me.’” “What happened next?” asked the emperor. “They walked on and reached a lake. They were bathing
Once, a learned man went to Akbar’s court. Akbar asked, “What brings you here?” The man said, “Your Majesty, with your permission I would like Birbal to test me.” Akbar agreed. Birbal brought a huge jar and filled it with big stones. Birbal asked the man, “Can I add something more to this jar?” The
One day, a poor man was walking by the marketplace, when he saw a pink pouch lying on the ground. There were a hundred gold coins in it. Just then, a man shouted, “Has anyone found my pouch? Whoever returns it shall be rewarded.” The poor man gave him the pouch. The rich man counted
One day, Birbal was on his way home from Emperor Akbar’s court. He saw a couple of donkeys fighting. Soon, another donkey came there and tried to interfere. Birbal got off his horse and kept watching the donkeys. When passers-by saw Birbal standing there, they were curious to know why he was looking at the
Emperor Akbar wanted his courtiers to be like Birbal. One day, he said, “Birbal, tell us how wise people should conduct themselves.” Birbal began his speech. But he noticed that the courtiers were busy talking to one another. So he fell silent for a few moments. Then he said, “There was a beautiful lady. She
One day, a widow sought Birbal’s help. Her husband had left a strange will. She was not able to understand what it meant. Birbal saw the will. It read: Divide the property among the three daughters equally. None of them should be able to use it. Each daughter should give one thousand gold coins to
One day, Akbar said to Birbal, “I want to know whether the farmers of my kingdom are happy. Let’s go and find out.” Akbar and Birbal set off on horseback. The countryside was beautiful. On the way, they came across a field of cabbages. Akbar said, “I just love cabbages. Don’t you like those?” Birbal
Occasionally, Akbar would disguise himself as a common man and walk the streets alone. Birbal would advise him to take along his guards, but Akbar never listened to him. One day, Akbar took to the streets, ignoring Birbal’s advice. After a while, a bearded man started following him. Akbar asked the man, “Who are you?
One day, Akbar asked his courtiers, “Which is the finest season?” One courtier said, “Your Majesty! It’s spring, when flowers are in bloom, and the buzzing of bees and chirping of birds fills the air. “No, winter is the best,” said another courtier, “when people enjoy the warm rays of the sun. Vegetables abound and
One day, after the usual session at the court, Akbar and Birbal were strolling in the royal garden. Birbal was talking and Akbar was listening. As they walked on, Birbal said some things that Akbar did not like. Akbar went on listening to Birbal. However, Birbal did not know that he had annoyed Akbar. As
One morning, Birbal was going to the court. A wicked man was hiding near the palace. When Birbal passed by, the man threw a stone at him. Birbal was hurt. He chased the man and caught him. Then Birbal gave the man some money. The man was surprised. He asked, “Why are you rewarding me