Birbal Stories: Birbal Outwits Cheat

A farmer and his neighbor once went to Emperor Akbar's court with a complaint.

 

"Your Majesty¹, I bought a well from him," said the farmer pointing to his neighbor," and now he wants me to pay for the water."

 

"That's right, your Majesty," said the neighbor. "I sold him the well but not the water!"

 

The Emperor asked Birbal to settle the dispute².

 

"Didn't you say that you sold your well to this farmer?" Birbal asked the neighbor. "So, the well belongs to him now, but you have kept your water in his well. Is that right? Well, in that case you will have to pay him a rent or take your water out at once."

 

The neighbor realized that he was outwitted. He quickly apologized and gave up his claim. 

1 majesty   

n.雄伟，壮丽，庄严，威严；最高权威，王权

参考例句：

• The king had unspeakable majesty.国王有无法形容的威严。
• Your Majesty must make up your mind quickly!尊贵的陛下，您必须赶快做出决定！

2 dispute   

n.争端，分歧；v.争论，争吵，辩论，辩驳

参考例句：

• They are trying to find a way of settling the dispute.他们正设法寻找解决争端的办法。
• The parties to the dispute should be more polite to each other.争执双方应相互礼貌些。