Once, the king of a neighbouring country invited Birbal to his palace. The king had heard a lot about Birbal’s wisdom. He was jealous of Birbal and was rude to him. But Birbal bore everything with a smile. Some time later, the king’s guards told him, “An old beggar has entered the royal garden!” The king went there. The old beggar had just finished planting a mango sapling. The king asked, “Why did you plant the sapling here? By the time the tree bears fruit, you will certainly be dead.” The beggar replied, “I planted it so that you and your children might enjoy its fruit.” The king was touched. He said, “Come, I shall reward you.” The beggar took off his beard and wig, and lo! It was Birbal! The king was ashamed of himself. Birbal had done a good deed in turn for a bad deed and won over the king.
Winsome Ways
