One day Akbar and Birbal were riding through the countryside and they happened to pass by a cabbage patch. Cabbages are such delightful vegetables! said Akbar. I just love cabbage. The cabbage is king of vegetables! said Birbal. A few weeks later the...
Birbal arrived late for a function and the emperor was displeased. My child was crying and I had to placate him, explained the courtier. Does it take so long to calm down a child? asked the emperor. It appears you know nothing about child rearing. No...
One day the Emperor Akbar startled his courtiers with a strange question. If somebody pulled my whiskers what sort of punishment should be given to him? he asked. He should be flogged! said one courtier. He should be hanged! said another. He should b...
The Emperor Akbar was traveling to a distant place along with some of his courtiers. It was a hot day and the emperor was tiring of the journey. Cant anybody shorten this road for me? he asked, querulously. I can, said Birbal. The other courtiers loo...
Let us enjoy reading this one of Birbal Stories of Birbal Returns Home. Birbal was in Persia at the invitation of the king of that country. Parties were given in his honor and rich presents were heaped on him. On the eve of his departure for home, a...
A farmer and his neighbor once went to Emperor Akbar's court with a complaint. Your Majesty, 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....
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...
One fine morning, a minister from Emperor Akbar's court had gathered in the assembly hall. He informed the Emperor that all his valuables had been stolen by a thief the previous night. Akbar was shocked to hear this because the place where that minis...
One day a man stopped Birbal in the street and began narrating his woes to him. I've walked twenty miles to see you, he told Birbal finally, and all along the way people kept saying you were the most generous man in the country. Birbal knew the man w...
Let us enjoy reading this one of Birbal Stories of Birbal Betrays Himself. Birbal was missing. He and the emperor had a quarrel and Birbal had stormed out of the palace vowing never to return. Now Akbar missed him and wanted him back but no one knew...
