Birbal Is Brief One day Akbar asked his courtiers if they could tell him the difference between truth and falsehood in three words or less. The courtiers looked at one another in bewilderment. "What about you, Birbal?" asked the emperor. "I'm surprised that you too are silent." "I'm silent because I want to give others a chance to speak," said Birbal. "Nobody else has the answer," said the emperor. "So go ahead and tell me what the difference between truth and falsehood is — in three words or less." "Four fingers" said Birbal "Four fingers?" asked the emperor, perplexed. ... read more

Birbal's Generosity One day a man stopped Birbal in a street and began narrating his woes to him. He said finally - "I have walked 20 miles to see you, and all along the way people kept saying that you are the most generous man in the country." Birbal knew that the man is going to ask some money from him. He asked - "Are you going back the same way?" The man replied - "Yes Sir." Birbal said - "Will you do me a favor?" The man said "Certainly, why not? What do you want me to do?" Birbal said - "Please deny the rumor of my generosity all the way back to your home." And Birbal walked awa ... read more

Washerman's Donkey Once Akbar went to the river with his two sons and wise Minister Birbal. On the bank of the river, Akbar and his two sons took off their clothes and asked Birbal to take care of them while they took bath in the river. Birbal was waiting for them to come out of the river. All the clothes were on his shoulder. Looking at Birbal standing like this, Akbar felt like teasing him, so he said to him, "Birbal, you look like as if you are carrying a washerman's donkey load." Birbal quickly retorted, "Sir, Washer-man's donkey carries only one donkey's load, I am carrying three ... read more

Birbal Shortens Road Once the Emperor Akbar was traveling to a distant place along with some of his courtiers. It was a hot day and the Emperor was tired of his journey. He asked querulously - "Can't any shorten this road for me?" Birbal said - "Yes, I can." The other courtiers looked at one another perplexed. All of then knew that there was no other path through the hilly terrain. The road on which they were traveling, was the only one that could take them to destination. So they were surprised to hear Birbal that he could shorten the road. The Emperor said - "You can shorten the road? ... read more

The Parrot Neither Eats, Nor Drinks A person was very fond of parrots. He used to catch parrots, train them and sell them to interested people. One time he got a good parrot, so he trained him in talking, and when he was trained he presented him to the king. King liked the parrot because he used to reply his questions too. The king made special arrangements for his safety, security and care and warned the people if somebody will tell me about his death, he will be hung. Hearing this the parrot was kept under very special care. But it so happened one day that suddenly the parrot died. Now ... read more