Miscellaneous Stories

Akbar's royal court. One day Akbar asked Birbal if he were given a choice between justice and a gold coin, which would he choose? Birbal jumped up and replied, 'The gold coin.

Emperor Akbar was surprised and asked, "What do you have then that justice? 'Birbal replied calmly again, 'yes. The other members of the royal council enjoyed Birbal's foolishness.

For many years they tried to humiliate Birbal in the eyes of the Emperor, but they couldn't; But today the man got caught himself. The members of the assembly could not have imagined that such a fortunate day could come.

I would have been disappointed if even one of my absolutely stupid servants had said the kind of thing that a wise man like you said today. Emperor Akbar said sadly, 'But such a thing came out of your mouth... I cannot believe it and i am very sorry. Didn't realise your thoughts were so low.

This time Birbal's humble reply was, 'Sir. People want what they don't have. You know that justice is we are already getting justice and I am short of money, I said I would take the gold coin. That's the point.

Birbal's reasonable answer pleased Emperor Akbar so much that he gave Birbal not one but a hundred gold coins. Lime fell on the mouths of the other members of the royal Council.