Birbal and the Pomegranate

One day, Emperor Akbar decided to test Birbal’s wisdom. He handed him a single pomegranate and said, “Birbal, divide this among all my ministers in such a way that no one feels less important.”

The courtiers looked puzzled, for it seemed impossible to divide such a small fruit fairly. Birbal, however, remained calm. He squeezed the pomegranate into juice, then poured it into small glasses, giving each minister an equal share.

Smiling, Birbal explained, “The juice carries the true essence of the fruit. By sharing it equally, each person receives the same worth.”

Akbar and the ministers admired Birbal’s fairness and insight, realizing that true equality lies not in the number of pieces, but in the value shared.

Moral: True fairness comes from sharing value, not just dividing parts.

Summary: Akbar gave Birbal one pomegranate to divide equally among ministers. Birbal turned it into juice and shared it, proving that fairness lies in sharing the fruit’s essence equally.