One day, when Birbal entered the court, he saw Akbar sitting quietly on his throne, staring at his hands. Birbal bowed and asked, “Is all well, Your Majesty?” Akbar asked Birbal, “Why are my palms hairless?” After thinking for a while, Birbal said, “You are very generous, Your Majesty! You always shower everyone around you […]
One of Akbar’s courtiers went by the name Abdul Karim. He was blind in one eye. He was also jealous of Birbal. He spared no chance to spoil Akbar’s impression of Birbal. One day, Karim saw Birbal spitting betel nuts on a palace wall. He went to Akbar and complained about Birbal. Akbar was annoyed.
One day, Akbar announced, “I have five questions for everyone today. Let’s see who is the most sensible among all of you.” He asked, “Name the best flower.” All the courtiers named different flowers. Birbal said, “The cotton flower, since cloth can be produced from it.” Akbar asked, “Which is the best leaf?” The courtiers
Akbar occasionally put his courtiers’ intelligence to test and asked them all kinds of difficult questions. One day, he asked them, “What is the difference between truth and falsehood? Tell me your answer in less than three words.” All the courtiers were taken aback. They did not have the answer to his question and they
One of Akbar’s courtiers rushed to him and said, “There was a theft in my house last night. All my valuables are gone.” Akbar said, “How can that be? You live in a safe locality.” Then Akbar called Birbal and said, “One of the courtiers must be the culprit.” Birbal said, “I will find out,
When Akbar saw Birbal, his favourite minister, walking to the court, he was annoyed. He asked, “Birbal, why are you walking? Where are your horses?” Birbal replied, “Your Majesty, my wife and her cousins have taken the horses. They have gone to visit relatives.” Akbar summoned the stable-boy and ordered him to give Birbal a
Akbar was a benevolent king but he also had an awful temper. One day, he got angry with one of his courtiers. He was so furious that he ordered the guards to behead him the next day. The courtier fell at Birbal’s feet and pleaded, “Birbal! Please save me from the Emperor’s wrath.” Birbal offered
One day, Akbar called Birbal to his court and had a long discussion. When their conversation ended, Birbal bowed and turned to leave. Just then, a copper coin fell from his pocket. As Birbal bent to pick the coin up, a jealous courtier said, “Your Majesty, you have showered Birbal with wealth, yet he remains
The king of Persia had heard many stories of Birbal’s wit and wisdom. He wanted to know whether Birbal was indeed intelligent and was eager to meet him. So he sent his messenger with a special invitation to visit Persia. Birbal accepted the invitation. When Birbal reached the king’s court, he saw six kings sitting
One day, Akbar and Birbal were lost in a discussion when the royal ironsmith entered the court. The ironsmith made swords and shields for Akbar’s army. He announced, “Your Majesty, I have made the strongest sword and shield in the world. No sword can pierce the shield I have made.” Then he held a sword
Akbar became king when he was just 13. Eventually, he formed a vast empire. He knew he was a great man and this made him arrogant. Due to this, Akbar acted inconsiderately towards his subjects at times. Birbal did not like this since Akbar was otherwise a kind man. One day, Birbal disguised himself as
One day, Akbar told Birbal, “There shall be a huge music competition next week. Invite the best musicians and Birbal, you shall participate, too.” On the day of the competition, when the participants had gathered in the royal hall, Akbar announced, “I’m sure you’re all great musicians in your own right. But the winner will
One morning, Akbar was walking in the garden. He was deep in thought when he stumbled against a small rock and hurt his foot. Angrily, he sent for the royal gardener. He told the gardener, “I hurt my foot because of you. You shall be sentenced to death tomorrow.” The gardener’s pleas fell on deaf
Akbar and Birbal shared a close relationship. This made the courtiers jealous of Birbal. One of them said to Akbar, “Your Majesty, why do you listen to Birbal and ignore our suggestions?” Akbar thought he should prove that Birbal was better than the rest. A marriage procession was passing by and Akbar asked the jealous
Once, a couple went to visit a saint with their niece. The saint was blind. But as soon as the niece saw the saint, she cried, “This man killed my parents. Punish him!” The saint said, “How can a blind man like me kill someone? Take this girl away.” The couple came home but they