151 Akbar Birbal Stories

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

A wrestling competition was once held in the palace. Wrestlers from all over Akbar’s kingdom participated in the competition. Emperor Akbar, Birbal and the other courtiers watched the competition. When it ended, the winner boasted, “I am the champion! I am the most powerful man in the country. Does anybody want to challenge me?” Birbal

Emperor Akbar thought Birbal was very wise. He always wanted to learn from Birbal. One day, he asked, “Birbal! Tell us something about the path to freedom and the path to slavery!” Birbal said, “Your Majesty, at the outset, the path to freedom will be full of obstacles and steep climbs. In fact, there will

One day, the royal guards brought a robber to Akbar’s court and said, “Your Majesty, this man has robbed many people’s gold and money.” Akbar roared, “Why did you rob so many people?” The robber said, “Your Majesty, it is God’s will. How can I be punished for things that were directed by God?” Birbal

Once, Birbal was on holiday. That day, his son told him, “Father, please come with me to the park! My friends and I want to play with you!” Birbal went with his son and began playing with all the children. After some time, a courtier passed by. He saw Birbal playing like a child among

Once, an old woman and a doctor went to Akbar’s court. But Birbal, as usual, solved it with his intelligence. The old woman said she was blind, while the doctor said she could see. Birbal took the old woman to another room and asked her, “What is the matter?” The old woman said, “I had