Birbal Betrays Himself

One day, Birbal and Emperor Akbar had a heated quarrel. Upset, Birbal left the palace in anger, vowing never to return.

Days passed, and though Akbar tried to remain stern, he soon found himself missing Birbal’s sharp wit and cleverness. But no one knew where Birbal had gone.

At last, Akbar devised a plan to bring him back. He announced in the city: A reward of one thousand gold coins will be given to any man who can walk in the hot sun without an umbrella — and yet remain in the shade at the same time.

The people shook their heads. “Impossible!” they said. “How can anyone be in the sun and in the shade at once?”

Then, to everyone’s surprise, a simple villager appeared at the palace gates. Balanced on his head was a string cot. “Your Majesty,” he declared, “I have walked under the blazing sun, but I was also in the shade — the shade of this cot.”

Akbar’s eyes sparkled. It was a clever, unexpected solution! Curious, he questioned the villager further. “Tell me honestly — who gave you this idea?”

The villager hesitated, then admitted, “There is a wise man staying in my house. He suggested it.”

Akbar smiled knowingly. “That could only be Birbal!”

And indeed, it was. Delighted, Akbar sent for Birbal at once. The quarrel was forgotten, and the emperor and his witty minister were joyfully reunited.