Birbal Imagination Once Akbar told Birbal ‘Birbal, make me a painting. Use imagination in it. To which the reply was ‘But hoozoor, I am a minister, how can I possibly paint?’ The king was angry and said ‘If I don’t get a good painting by...
Question for Question One day Akbar asked Birbal, “Birbal, can you tell me how many bangles are on your wife’s hand?” Birbal said, “No, Huzoor, I cannot.” “You cannot? Although every day you see her hand, still you cannot tell how many bangles are on...
The Blind Saint There lived a blind saint in an ashram in the kingdom of Emperor Akbar. He was believed to prophesy the future correctly. Once he had a visitor who had come to treat their niece. The child’s parents were killed in front of...
The Choice of Birbal One day Emperor Akbar asked Birbal what he would choose if he were given a choice between justice and a gold coin. “The gold coin,” said Birbal. Akbar was taken aback. “You would prefer a gold coin to justice?” he asked,...
Full Moon, Quarter Moon Once Birbal went to Persia at the invitation of that country’s King. Parties were extended in his honor and rich gifts heaped up near him. On the eve of his departure home, a nobleman asked him as to how he would...
The Jealous Courtiers King Akbar was very fond of Birbal. This made a certain courtier very jealous. Now, this courtier always wanted to be chief minister, but this was not possible as Birbal filled that position. One day Akbar praised Birbal in front of the...
The Loyal Gardener One day Akbar was stumbled on a rock in his garden while taking a stroll. He was not in a good mood already, and then this fall made him very angry. He ordered for the gardener’s arrest and execution. The gardener was...
The Musical Genius Famous musicians once gathered at Akbar’s court for a competition. The one who could capture a bull’s interest was to be declared the winner. One by one, they played the most heavenly music but the bull paid no attention. Then Birbal took...
The Sadhu Akbar came to the throne when he was only thirteen years old. In the years that followed, he built one of the greatest empires of his time. He lived in unimaginable splendor. He was surrounded by courtiers who agreed with every word he...
The Sharpest Shield and Sword A man who made spears and shields once came to Akbar’s court. “Your Majesty, nobody can make shields and spears to equal mine,” he said. “My shields are so strong that nothing can pierce them and my spears are so...
