Three Idols As you know Akbar considered Birbal the most intelligent person of his kingdom. Once a sculptor challenged Baadshaah Akbar that he would show three idols to him, which would look exactly like each other to his courtiers and they would have to rate them good, ok and bad. Akbar agreed. All the courtiers tried to rate them but failed, because they were so alike that they did not know how to rate them. Now it was Birbal's turn. He noticed a small hole in the ears of the idols. Birbal got curious, so he took three wires and inserted them in those holes. In the case of the first ... read more

Colorful Bird Akbar was very fond of birds. One day a bird catcher came to his kingdom . He had a very colorful bird. The Bird catcher said to Emperor Akbar that this bird is not only colorful like a peacock, but it can dance also like him and also fly. The Bird catcher was immediately rewarded with 50 gold coins. He left the kingdom in a hurry. When the bird catcher had gone Birbal said to Emperor - "This bird cannot dance like a peacock and it has not bathed for many months." Birbal further suggested - "Let me give it a bath." and asked for a glass of water. When Birbal gave the bat ... read more

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. Gardener was very scared and Birbal comes to know about this episode. He met the Gardener in the prison and told him something in his ear. The next day, at the time of execution, the gardener was asked what his last wish was. He requested for an audience with the Emperor. His wish was granted and he was brought in the Court. When he came near the throne, he loudly clear ... read more

Back to Square One As usual a lot of people were present in Akbar's durbar. A famous astrologer had come from a far away country. He was talking about the Solar System and the Earth's shape. At one point Akbar said, "If the earth is round, and if one travel strait towards one direction, he will come back to the same spot from where he has started the journey." "Theoretically it is correct", said the astrologer. "Why not in real life?", asked the king. "One has to cross oceans, mountains and forests to keep the path straight." the astrologer said. "Sail through the oceans, make tunne ... read more

Akbar's Hasty Judgement Once the Emperor Akbar was riding near a mango grove. An arrow whizzed past him. His soldiers rushed to the grove and caught the person who did this. He was a young boy. On asking why did he want to kill the Emperor, he said that he did not want to kill the Emperor, he just wanted to knock down a mango from a high branch. The Emperor was too angry to listen to him. He ordered to put him to death in the same way as the boy wanted to kill him. A soldier tied the boy with a tree stump and steadied his arrow to kill him. Birbal, who was watching all this process qu ... read more