STORIES: The Donkey?

 

A story from the Akbar & Birbal Tales…

One day Akbar went to the river to take a bath with his two sons and Birbal.

Akbar and his sons left their clothes with Birbal and stepped into the river. Birbal waited for them on the river bank with their clothes on his shoulder. Looking at Birbal, Akbar teased him and said, “Birbal, you look like a washerman’s donkey with a load of clothes!”

Birbal quickly retorted, “Your Majesty! I am carrying the load of not just one donkey, but actually three.”

Akbar was left speechless.

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour.

 

 

STORIES: Fastest Thing

 

Another Akbar-Birbal Story today…

One day Akbar asked his courtiers, “What is the fastest thing in the world?”

The first courtier said, “Bullock Cart”. Another courtier replied, “Wind” and the third courtier said, “Light”.

Akbar turned to Birbal for his answer. Birbal responded, “Your Majesty! Thoughts are faster than anything else. One moment you are in this court and your next thought can take you anywhere in the world.”

Everyone was surprised. Akbar was proud of Birbal’s wisdom and rewarded him suitably.

 

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour.

STORIES: The Mango Tree – A Reliable Witness!

 

An old man was going on a pilgrimage. He took a bag containing thousand gold coins and asked his friend to keep it safe with him while he was away.

When the old man returned, he went to his friend and said, “I am back, my friend. Please give me my bag.”

The friend said in surprise, “What bag are you talking about? You never left anything with me.”

The old man was shocked and said, “The bag contained all my savings. Please do not joke with me. Please return my bag.”

The friend refused again. The old man was shattered. He went to Akbar’s court and asked Birbal to help.

Birbal said, “Where exactly did you give the bag to your friend?”

The old man replied, “Huzoor, I gave the bag to my friend under a mango tree in a mango grove.”

“It is a lie. I did not receive anything,” responded the old man’s friend.

Birbal continued, “Well, lets bring the mango tree here as a witness. He will help us to get to the truth.” He turned to the old man and said, “Go immediately and order the tree to come here.”

Everyone was puzzled. The old man was scared. He thought that Birbal will get angry if he questioned him. So he silently left for the grove.

After an hour Akbar said, “We have been waiting for an hour. The old man has not returned. How long do we have to wait.”

Birbal replied, “Be patient. He will be back soon.”

The old man’s friend said, “How can the old man be back soon? He cannot even have reached the mango grove.”

Birbal asked, “Is the mango grove far?”

“Yes, Huzoor. It is more than five miles away,” replied the old man’s friend.

“Well, we can do nothing but wait for him to come back,” said Birbal.

Few hours later the old man returned and said to Birbal, “Huzoor, I repeated your order to the mango tree three times. But it did not move.”

“Don’t worry. The mango tree has already borne witness,” said Birbal and turned to the old man’s friend, “You are a liar. How else do you know where the mango grove is and how far it is? The old man did give you the bag.”

The old man’s friend was caught and could not deny it anymore. The old man was relieved and got his bag back.

Everyone was amazed at Birbal’s approach and how he had cleverly reached the truth in the matter. Akbar praised Birbal for delivering justice.

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour. 

STORIES: The Mango Tree

 

Hello

Today i will tell you an Akbar & Birbal story. Its about a mango tree. It tells us that Truth always finds its way and cannot be hidden.

Parth

One day two farmers Ramu and Shamu approached Birbal.

Ramu said, “There is a mango tree on the edge of my farm. It has always belonged to me. Now Shamu claims that the tree is his.”

“Huzur, the tree belongs to me. I have watered it from the time it was a sapling,” said Shamu.

Birbal asked them to go home and come back the next day. He then called a trusted servant and said, “Go to their houses in the evening and tell them that some mangoes are being stolen by thieves. Report their reaction to me.”

When Ramu heard the news of the thieves he said, “I have some urgent work now. I will look into the matter later.” On the other hand, as soon as Shamu heard the news he ran out towards the tree with a stick in his hand.

Next day Birbal said to them, “The tree obviously cannot belong to both of you. But since I find it difficult to settle this dispute, I order that the mangoes be plucked and divided equally between the two of you. ”

“And for the tree, it will be cut down and the wood too will be equally divided,” Birbal added.

Ramu felt happy and said, “You are just and fair.”

Shamu had teers in his eyes and said, “Huzur, I have tended the tree for seven years. I cannot see it being cut down. Please let the tree go to Ramu.”

“Shamu, your concern for the tree has told me all that I wanted to know,” said Birbal and added, ” I declare you to be the rightful owner of the tree. Let Ramu be whipped for telling a lie.”

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour. 

STORIES: Birbal goes Missing

 

Another Akbar-Birbal Story…

One day emperor Akbar and Birbal had a quarrel. In a fit of rage, Akbar ordered, “Get out of my court. Leave the city of Agra. I do not even want to see your face.”

Birbal was hurt. He left the  palace and vowed never to return. All the courtiers were delighted to see the back of Birbal.

As days passed, Akbar started missing Birbal. He wanted to call Birbal back but did not know where he was.

Suddenly, an idea came to his mind. He made an announcement, “Anyone who comes to the court in half-sunlight and half-shade, will get a thousand gold coins.”

The news spread all over the kingdom.

One day a villager came carrying a string cot placed on his head.

“You Majesty! I have walked in the sun, but at the same time i was in the shade of the strings of the cot. I have fulfilled your terms.”

Akbar was surprised. He thought, “This cannot be this man’s idea. Only Birbal can think like this.”

“This cannot be your idea,” fumed Akbar and threatened, “Tell me who is behind it or I will put you in jail.”

The villager trembled with fear and confessed, “My Lord, the idea was suggested to me by a stranger living with me.”

Akbar heaved a sigh of relief. He was very happy. He immediately sent his messengers to fetch Birbal.

It was a sight to see the reunion of Akbar & Birbal.

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour.

STORIES: The Dream

 

This is so funny!! I could not stop laughing. Enjoy the Akbar & Birbal story and their dream.

Parth

Emperor Akbar was feeling bored one day. He decided to have some fun. He said, “I had a dream last night.”

“Birbal and I were walking together on a moonless night,”  said Akbar as he started to narrate the dream. “It was very dark. We could not even see other. We collided and fell,” he added.

“Luckily,” said the emperor mischievously, “I fell into a pool of kheer. But can you guess where Birbal fell?”

“Where, your Majesty?” asked the courtiers with curiosity.

“A gutter!” said Akbar smilingly.

Everyone started laughing.

The emperor was very happy. He felt that for once he had managed to make Birbal look like a fool.

Birbal frowned but kept quiet. When the laughter died down, he said patiently, “Your Majesty! Strangely, I too had the same dream. But i slept on till the end.”

“After we climbed out we found that there was no water to clean ourselves. Do you know what we did?” he added.

“What?” asked the emperor.

Everyone looked at Birbal wanting to know what happened next.

“We licked each other clean!” Birbal said smilingly. “I licked the sweet kheer on your face while you licked the stinking water on my face.”

All the courtiers started to laugh but tried hard to hide it from the emperor by putting their hands on their mouth.

And Emperor Akbar! He became red with embarrassment and resolved never to try and get the better of Birbal again.

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour.

STORIES: Ring in the Well

 

Birbal is so smart. Enjoy the story – Ring in the Well.

Parth

One day, Emperor Akbar and Birbal went for hunting with some courtiers. Suddenly, Akbar’s ring fell into a dry well.

Akbar liked to test Birbal in odd situations. ‘Birbal, can you take out my ring without entering the well?” he Akbar.

Birbal tried to think of a way. Finally he said, “Your Majesty! It can be done but it will take time.”

“You can take as much time as you want,” replied Akbar with a smile on his face.

Birbal asked the courtiers to bring a cow. When the cow was brought, Birbal gave it some grass to eat. Then the cow passed fresh dung. Birbal picked it up and threw it on the ring in the well.

Akbar was watching with amazement. “What are you doing with the cow dung?” he asked.

“Please wait and watch,” said Birbal. The courtiers thought that Birbal had gone out of his mind.

Birbal then tied a stone on one end of a string, and holding the other end in his hand threw the stone on the dung.

He waited for the dung to dry up. When it had dried, he pulled the string out of the well. The string brought the stone which was stuck to the dung. The dung had the emperor’s ring at its bottom. Akbar was astonished.

“Your Majesty! Here is your ring. I have brought it out without entering the well,” said Birbal.

Akbar was all praise for Birbal. He gave the ring to Birbal as a reward.

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour.

STORIES: Birbal shortens the Road!

 

I like this story very much. Its name is Birbal shortens the road. Hope you like it too!

Parth

One day, when Emperor Akbar was travelling with his courtiers he got very impatient and restless. It was a long journey and the sun was very hot. He suddenly said, “Can anyone shorten this road for me?”

“I can, your majesty,” said Birbal. All the courtiers looked at each other. They knew that there was no other road to their destination.

“Really! Can you shorten the road?” asked the delighted emperor. “Good. Then do it now,” he added.

“I will,” responded Birbal. “First listen to this story.”

Birbal started to tell a long and interesting story. It was so intriguing that the emperor and all the courtiers listened with close attention. Before they knew they had reached the destination.

The story was not yet finished when Birbal announced, “Your Majesty! We have reached our destination.”

“What! We have reached already?” exclaimed Akbar with disbelief. The other courtiers were also surprised and happy to see their destinations.

“Your Majesty, you wanted the road to be shortened and that is exactly what i did!” said Birbal and smiled.

Akbar was very happy. He was also proud to have a wise and witty minister.

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour.

STORIES: A Trip To Heaven

Hello! This is an Akbar – Birbal tale. 

Vani

Akbar was a great admirer of Birbal. This made his courtiers and attendants jealous of Birbal. With the help of the court barber, they hatched a plot to get rid of him.

One day while trimming the Emperor’s beard, the barber said,”Huzoor! Last night  I saw your father in my dreams.”

Akbar’s eyes opened wide with interest.

Fanning his emotions the barber continued,”Huzoor, your father said to me that everything is fine and great in Heaven but……”

“But? But what!” the Emperor pushed aside his hand which held the scissors, and looked at him in great concern.

The barber furtively looked here and there, and in a hushed voice whispered into the Emperor’s ears, “Jahanpanah there is no one to amuse him. He is missing a humorous company.

Now Akbar could only think of Birbal. He knew that the way to reach heaven was only death. A moment he was sad, but thinking of his father, he made up his mind.

He summoned Birbal and said, “I know Birbal you love me very much and you can sacrifice anything for me.”

Birbal tried to read the king’s mind, but could not guess anything. He said,”Yes, I do.”

“Then Birbal, please go to heaven to entertain my father,” Akbar entreated.

Birbal understood the wicked plan, but politely agreed saying,”I will do so, but I need time to prepare myself to go to heaven.”

The king readily gave him a week’s time.

Now Birbal was worried. He new that he could not escape from this situation. He racked his brain hard and finally found a solution.

He dug a ditch near his house which would serve as his grave, and made a tunnel from the ditch that led to a room in is house. He completed this in one week and returned to the court.

To Akbar, he said pleasantly,”Your Majesty, I am ready, but I have two conditions. First, I wish to be buried near my house. And second, I wish to be buried alive so that I can reach heaven alive to amuse your father.”

The king considered it as his last wish and agreed promptly.

So Birbal was buried alive near his house. As planned he escaped through the tunnel and lived in confinement for six months.

Then one day, he came out of the hiding with long beard and shabby hair. He asked permission to appear in the royal court.

Everyone was surprised to see him. Akbar’s eyes widened with wonder and delight. Anxiously he asked Birbal about his trip to heaven.

Birbal replied,” Your  Majesty, I had a very good time there. Your father was so happy with my services that he gave me special permission to return to Earth.”

Akbar was overwhelmed,”Did he send any message for me?”

Birbal answered,”Yes, he has asked you to send your own barber to him immediately as there is no barber in the heaven.”

Then running his fingers through his beard, with a sheepish smile, he continued,”You can see this from my grown beard and shabby hair.”

Akbar understood everything. He rewarded Birbal, and gave a life sentence to the wicked barber.

STORIES: Emperor’s Dream

 

One night, Emperor Akbar had a bad dream. He dreamt that he had lost all  his teeth, except one.

On waking up, he was relieved that it was just a dream, but still he invited all the astrologers in his kingdom to interpret his dream.

There was a big debate on various interpretations of the dream and how it influenced the emperor’s life. They finally came to a common conclusion and shared their interpretation.

“Your Majesty, all your family and relative  will die before you,” they said.

Akbar was very disturbed to hear the prophecy and sent the astrologers away without  any gifts.

Later in the day, Akbar met Birbal and said, “Birbal, I am the most unfortunate person on earth. I will see all my close ones pass away before my own eyes.”

Birbal was silent for a few minutes. He did not like to see Akbar in such a sorrowful state. He said, “Your Majesty, I will like to read your dream differently.”

“Oh! How can you look at it differently?” asked Akbar.

Birbal replied, “Your Majesty, I believe that your will live a longer and a more fulfilled life than any of your relatives.”

Akbar was immediately relieved to hear Birbal’s words. He appreciated Birbal’s positive approach and rewarded him.

We should all remember that we cannot  change many situations, but it is in our hands to  change our approach and response to them.

The exchange between Akbar The Great (Mogul emperor) and Birbal (his minister) have become folk stories in Indian tradition and illustrate day-to-day questions through for wisdom, wit and subtle humour.