Once, an old man and his neighbour went to Birbal. The old man said, “I gave my valuables to my neighbour before going on a pilgrimage. I am back, but my neighbour refuses to return them.” The neighbour said, “This man never gave me any valuables.” Birbal asked the old man, “Does anyone else know about this?” The old man said, “No. We were standing under a tree.” Birbal said, “Bring the tree here.” The old man went away. Birbal asked the neighbour, “Where is that tree? Will he return soon?” The neighbour replied, “The tree is far off. He will take time to return.” After a long time, the old man returned. “The tree wouldn’t budge,” he said. Birbal said, “While you were away, the tree told us the truth.” “When?” asked the neighbour. “Just when you said that the tree is far,” said Birbal. The neighbour returned the old man’s valuables.
The Speaking Tree
