Birbal and the Two Lines Puzzle

One day, Emperor Akbar set a tray of sweets before his ministers and said, “Take as many as you think you deserve.” Eagerly, most ministers grabbed generous handfuls. Birbal, however, calmly picked just one sweet.

Surprised, Akbar asked, “Birbal, why only one?”

With a gentle smile, Birbal replied, “Your Majesty, I believe in earning my share, not assuming I deserve more without merit.”

Akbar was deeply impressed by Birbal’s humility. In that simple act, Birbal reminded everyone that true worth is not shown by greed, but by restraint and fairness.

Moral: True worth is reflected in humility and self-restraint.

Summary: Akbar asked his ministers to take sweets based on what they “deserved.” While most took many, Birbal took only one, teaching that true worth lies in humility and moderation.