One day, there was a grand feast in Akbar’s palace. After the delicious feast, tasty dates from Arabia were served in the garden, where Akbar was sitting and chatting with his ministers. Everybody ate the date fruits, and left the seeds under their chairs. Akbar wanted to make fun of Birbal, and so he left all his seeds under Birbal’s chair, who was sitting next to him. After everybody had finished, Akbar suddenly stood up and exclaimed, “Good Heavens! Birbal, I never knew that you were such a greedy eater! How did you manage to eat so much dates? Look at the heap of seeds under your chair!” and started laughing his head off. The courtiers also looked at the heap of seeds and joined Akbar in his laugh.

Birbal was shocked, and looked beneath his chair. He looked beneath Akbar’s chair also, and there was nothing there. He quickly understood what had happened,  and his clever mind gave him an instant idea to manage the situation.

He immediately started laughing louder than Akbar, pointing his finger under Akbar’s chair.Everyone looked under the chair. Akbar blinked confusedly and  asked, “What’s the matter, Birbal? Why are you laughing?”. “Your Majesty! I accept that I am a glutton. There’s nothing special in it. But look under your chair, your Majesty! You have swallowed all the seeds along with the dates!I have never seen anyone who could do that!” said Birbal and continued laughing. 

Akbar was ashamed. Yet he did not get angry.Instead he said affectionately,”You are so clever Birbal! No one can outwit you! I am lucky indeed to have got you!”, and gifted him a thousand gold coins.

Did you enjoy the story? We will see some more stories in the days to come… Keep smiling.