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. "I sold him the well but not the water!"

 

The Emperor asked Birbal to settle the dispute.

 

"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."