The Donkey and the Pot of Gold

One day, Emperor Akbar decided to test Birbal’s wit. He asked, “Tell me, Birbal, which is more valuable—a donkey or a pot of gold?”

Birbal paused, smiled, and replied, “The donkey, Your Majesty.”

Akbar was taken aback. “How can a mere donkey be worth more than gold?” he asked in surprise.

Birbal bowed slightly and explained, “Because, Jahanpanah, a donkey can carry a pot of gold wherever you wish—but a pot of gold can never carry a donkey. True value lies not just in appearance, but in usefulness.”

Hearing this, Akbar burst into laughter. Birbal had once again turned a simple question into a lesson in wisdom.

Moral: Real value comes from usefulness and purpose, not just from how something looks.

Summary: Akbar asked Birbal whether a donkey or a pot of gold was more valuable. Birbal cleverly answered that a donkey was more valuable, as it could carry gold while gold could not carry a donkey, teaching that practical value matters more than appearance.