Birbal was a clever man. Not only did he save innocent lives, but he also solved many problems and caught dishonest people. One day, two ghee merchants came to Akbar’s court. The first merchant said, “Your Majesty, this man had borrowed money from me. After a few months, I asked him to return the money. […]
Akbar enjoyed asking his courtiers strange questions to test their intelligence. One day, he asked, “How should I treat a person who pulls my moustache?” All the courtiers were taken aback. After a while, one of them said, “Your Majesty, such a person should be in jail.” Another courtier said, “No, Your Majesty, such a
One day, Akbar caught a dishonest officer cheating his subjects. He was angry and upset. Just then, his servant told him, “Your Majesty’s horse has run away from its stable and I cannot find it anywhere.” Akbar said, “You deserve to die!” The servant trembled from head to toe. Birbal saw this and he knew
One day, Akbar’s guards brought a man to the court and said, “Your Majesty, this granary officer was caught taking bribes.” Akbar said, “Put him in prison.” Another courtier said, “Your Majesty, let him count the waves of the Yamuna.” Akbar agreed. After a few days, Akbar asked Birbal, “What about that corrupt granary officer?
Akbar had a courtier named Sultan. He wanted his son to become the royal treasurer. But Akbar and Birbal did not want this, as Sultan’s son was a rogue. Sultan thought, ‘If I turn the emperor against Birbal, my son can become the royal treasurer.’ One day, Birbal was late for the court. Sultan whispered
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
Akbar had a habit of collecting beautiful candlesticks. He had a special chamber where his collection was displayed. The servants were given strict instructions to be careful while cleaning the room. One day, while a servant was dusting the mantelpiece, one of the candlesticks fell and broke. Akbar was beside himself with rage. He ordered
One day, Birbal decided to visit his relatives in another city. He set off on his carriage. Birbal’s relatives were not hospitable people. They did not like to entertain guests. When they saw Birbal’s carriage approaching, they quickly thought of a plan to send him away. They went to the balcony and pretended to have
Akbar had a special cupboard. Whoever touched the cupboard would get stuck to it. One day, Akbar called Birbal and said, “Please get me an apple from that cupboard.” When Birbal touched the cupboard, he got stuck. Try as he might, he couldn’t free himself. Then onwards, Akbar often teased Birbal. He would ask, “How
One evening, Akbar and Birbal were walking along the banks of the Yamuna. Akbar loved the sound of the flowing river. He told Birbal, “Listen to the river, Birbal. I feel it is crying. Can you tell me why it is crying?” Birbal stared at the river for a while. He thought, ‘This is a
One day, an old lady visited Birbal. She was in tears. Birbal asked, “What happened?” The old lady said, “I had a son who died in battle and I am all alone.” Birbal wiped her tears and said, “Do you have anything to give the emperor?” The old lady said, “Yes, my son’s sword. Birbal
Once, Akbar and his courtiers were discussing the qualities of generosity and kindness. Akbar said, “The hand of the giver is always above that of the receiver.” Everyone in the court pondered over the thought and agreed with him. However, Birbal said, “I do not agree with you, Your Majesty. The hand of the giver
Once, there lived a sage in Akbar’s kingdom. An old lady came to him and said, “Please keep my life’s savings with you until I return.” The sage said, “I stay away from wealth. Bury them in a corner of my hut.” The old lady did so and left. She came back after many months.
Akbar knew a lot about many religions and was always eager to learn more. Once, he asked Birbal, “Why did Lord Krishna rush to help his devotees? Didn’t He have servants? Birbal said, “I shall answer that tomorrow, Your Majesty.” Then he ordered a craftsman to make a wax idol of Prince Khurram, Akbar’s grandson.
Once, there was an old miser in Akbar’s kingdom. He had a wooden box in which he kept all his money. One day, the miser’s hut caught fire. He rushed outside and cried, “My money box! Please save it!” One of his neighbours said, “I shall save it, but I will only give you what