The Burdened Donkey
A merchant came crying before the emperor. “My donkey, loaded with sacks of gold, was stolen last night!” Birbal asked, “Did you inform the guards?” “Yes,” the man replied, “but they say they saw nothing.” Suspicion arose.
The Clever Trap
Birbal gathered all the palace guards and said, “Each of you must pull one hair from the donkey’s tail. The real thief’s hand will shake from fear.” The guards were terrified. One of them quickly confessed his crime, fearing divine justice.
The Donkey’s Tail Remained Untouched
Birbal smiled, “I had sprinkled soot on the donkey’s tail. The innocent would pull it. The guilty would avoid it.” Sure enough, all hands were black—except for the thief’s.
Lesson to Be Learned
Truth is fearless; deceit trembles. The heart that has sinned cannot remain calm, for the Supersoul within gives witness to all our actions. “The Lord is seated in everyone’s heart,” says Lord Kṛṣṇa in Bhagavad-gītā. One cannot escape His justice.
