Birbal Stories: Birbal Shortens Road

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.

 

“Can’t anybody shorten this road for me?" he asked, querulously.

 

“I can," said Birbal.

 

The other courtiers looked at one another, perplexed¹. All of them knew there was no other path through the hilly terrain². 

 

The road they were traveling on was the only one that could take them to their destination.

 

“You can shorten the road?" said the emperor. “Well, do it."

 

“I will," said Birbal. “Listen first to this story I have to tell."

 

And riding beside the emperor’s palanquin, he launched upon a long and intriguing³ tale that held Akbar and all those listening, spellbound. Before they knew it, they had reached the end of their journey.

 

“We’ve reached?" exclaimed Akbar. “So soon!"

 

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