An Unusual Complaint
A cobbler approached the emperor and said, “My shoes are talking behind my back.” The court burst into laughter.
Birbal’s Response
Birbal examined the shoes and said, “Yes, they are speaking of your pride. Though you walk on them daily, you forget their service.”
Akbar’s Reflection
Akbar said, “Even what we step on deserves honor when it serves.”
Lesson to Be Learned
A true devotee sees value in every servant, even the lowly and forgotten. The soul progresses not by pride but by recognizing and respecting all who assist us—just as even the dust at Kṛṣṇa’s feet holds supreme glory.
