The Donkey with Glasses

One day, Emperor Akbar, in a playful mood, challenged Birbal with a mischievous question: “Can you find a donkey that is smarter than you?”

Without hesitation, Birbal agreed. The next day, he appeared in court leading a donkey that wore a pair of glasses. The entire court burst into laughter at the strange sight.

Amused yet curious, Akbar asked, “But Birbal, how can this donkey be smarter than you?”

With his usual wit, Birbal replied, “Your Majesty, I never said he was smarter than me—only that he might outsmart you. Just look at him! He’s already been reading your royal decrees!”

Hearing this, Akbar laughed so hard at Birbal’s clever twist that he nearly fell off his throne, while the courtiers joined in the merriment.

Moral: Clever wit can turn even the silliest challenge into laughter and wisdom.

Summary: Akbar challenged Birbal to find a donkey smarter than him. Birbal brought one wearing glasses, joking that it could outsmart the emperor by reading decrees. Akbar laughed heartily at Birbal’s wit.