A Royal DecisionAkbar gave a golden chain to one minister and a garland of straw to another. All were confused. Birbal’s ClarificationHe explained, “One earned glory but is proud. The…
An Experiment at NightBirbal placed a mirror in a dark room and asked the courtiers what they saw. “Nothing,” they replied. The Point MadeHe said, “Even the clearest mirror cannot…
An Odd FarmerA man was seen planting colored stones in his field. When questioned, he said, “They will become fruits of fortune.” Birbal’s LessonHe told the man, “Stones will bear…
A Broken GiftA nobleman gifted Akbar a clock with no hands. “It is a symbol,” he said. “Of what?” asked the emperor. Birbal’s InterpretationBirbal said, “It shows the time of…
A Royal CuriosityAkbar received a golden birdcage from a visiting king, but no bird inside. “A cage without a bird?” he asked. Birbal’s UnderstandingHe said, “It is a gift that…
A Lost OfferingA boy brought a peacock feather to offer at the temple, but the wind blew it away. He cried in sorrow. Birbal’s ReassuranceHe said, “Don’t cry. The Lord…
A Sinking SurpriseA man built a beautiful boat but forgot to seal a small hole. It sank on its first voyage. Birbal’s Comment“Even a golden vessel sinks if one hole…
A Strange AccusationA man came to court claiming, “My neighbor stole my moonlight by blocking my window with his wall!” Birbal’s RemedyHe suggested moving the man’s seat to another window.…
A Royal ChallengeAkbar said, “I wear the crown, but what is the true crown of a king?” Birbal brought no object but bowed and said, “The love of your people—that…
A Market ArgumentTwo merchants quarreled noisily over a small coin. Akbar was irritated and fined them both. Birbal’s Remark“For the sake of one coin, they lost their voice, their peace,…