Akbar was in the royal court, listening to the complaints of the people of his kingdom. Birbal was also near him. Just then, a farmer and his neighbour entered the court. The farmer said, “Your Majesty, I am a poor farmer. My neighbour sold me his well a few months ago. But now he also wants me to pay for the water.” The neighbour said, “Yes, Your Majesty! I need money for the water in the well.” Akbar thought, ‘This sounds interesting. Birbal should solve it.’ Birbal heard the farmer’s story and told the neighbour, “You sold only your well to the farmer. So the well belongs to him. But the water belongs to you. Since you have kept your water in the farmer’s well, you either pay him rent or remove the water.” The neighbour realised that he had been selfish. The farmer thanked Birbal for helping him out.
The Farmer’s Well
