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

The True King The King of Iran had heard that Birbal was one of the wisest men in the East and desirous of meeting him sent him an invitation to visit his country. In due course, Birbal arrived in Iran. When he entered the palace he was flabbergasted to find not one but six kings seated there. All looked alike. All were dressed in kingly robes. Who was the real king? The very next moment he got his answer. Confidently, he approached the king and bowed to him. "But how did you identify me?" the king asked, puzzled. Birbal smiled and explained: "The false kings were all looking at you ... read more

Birbal Turns Tables Once Emperor Akbar was narrating his dream in the court. The dream began with Akbar and Birbal walking towards each other on a dark night. It was so dark that they could not see each other, and so collided and fell. The Emperor said - "Fortunately for me, I fell into a sea of Paayzam (an Indian sweets made with milk and semolina), but guess what Birbal fell into?" Courtiers asked curiously - "What, Your Majesty?" "A gutter." The whole court resounded with laughter. The Emperor was thrilled that at least for once he had been able to score over Birbal. But Birbal was ... 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

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, incredulously. “Yes Jahaanpanaah,” said Birbal. The other courtiers were also amazed by Birbal’s display of idiocy. For years they had been trying to discredit Birbal in the emperor’s eyes but without success and now the man had gone and done it himself. They could not believe their good fortune. “I would have been dismayed if even the lowli ... read more