The Wise Birbal and the Queen’s 1 Brother: A Tale of Wit and Wisdom : Akber and Birbal

Introduction:
The Wise Birbal and the Queen’s 1 Brother is the tale of wisdom.The court of Emperor Akbar was graced by the unparalleled wisdom of Birbal. However, many courtiers harbored resentment towards him. Birbal’s knack for solving any problem with remarkable ease made him Akbar’s most favored advisor. This favoritism became a point of contention, especially for one of Emperor Akbar’s Begums (queens).

The Queen’s Request:
This particular Begum wished for her brother, Jafar, to be bestowed with responsibilities similar to Birbal’s. She persistently urged Akbar, who initially tried to assure her. Having been previously brushed aside on this matter, the Begum was determined this time to secure a significant position for her brother.

The Emperor’s Condition:
Understanding the Queen’s persistence but also knowing Jafar’s capabilities, Emperor Akbar tactfully explained that Jafar was not yet ready for such a role. However, not wanting to displease his Begum, he proposed a test. Akbar declared that he was willing to consider Jafar for a ministerial position, but only if he could pass a simple task. The Begum, confident in her brother, readily agreed to this condition.

The First Task:
The following day, Emperor Akbar summoned his brother-in-law, Jafar. The Begum was present, radiating with anticipation. Emperor Akbar addressed Jafar, saying, “I have heard that a dog outside the fort has given birth to puppies. Go and bring me information about them.”
Jafar, thinking the task incredibly simple, readily went outside the fort. He returned shortly and announced, “Yes, Your Majesty, a dog has indeed given birth to puppies.” Emperor Akbar then asked, “Very well, tell me what colors they are?”

Jafar, having only glanced at the puppies playing, hadn’t bothered to gather detailed information. He returned to the fort gates, peeked again, and came back to report, “There are two black, two white, and one brown puppy.” Now, Emperor Akbar inquired, “How many are male and how many are female?” Jafar, realizing his oversight, had only noted the colors from a distance.

He went back once more to ascertain the genders and finally replied, “Three are male, and two are female.” The Begum, witnessing her brother’s carelessness, remained silent, though she understood the implications.

The Second Task for Birbal:
Following Jafar’s clumsy attempts, Emperor Akbar summoned Birbal and assigned him the very same task: “Go and bring me information about the puppies born to the dog outside the fort.”Wise Birbal returned after a short while and with a calm demeanor stated, “The information is accurate, Your Majesty.”

Emperor Akbar then posed the same questions, “What colors are the puppies?” Without hesitation, Birbal replied, “There are two white, two black, and one brown puppy, Your Majesty.” “And how many are male and how many are female?” Akbar continued. Standing confidently, Birbal answered, “There are three males and two females.”

“Have you brought any further details?” the Emperor asked in a serious tone. To this, wise Birbal replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. Four of the puppies have twenty paws in total, but one puppy has twenty-one paws.”

Wise Birbal

The Outcome and Recognition:
Emperor Akbar was greatly pleased with Birbal’s thoroughness. The Begum, witnessing the stark contrast between her brother’s multiple trips and superficial information and Birbal’s comprehensive report gathered in a single attempt, finally understood the Emperor’s high regard for Birbal.

She apologized to Akbar, admitting that his judgment in appointing Birbal as a minister was indeed correct. From that day forward, she too became an admirer of Birbal’s wisdom.

From this story, we learn that while doing any work, we should do it with complete concentration like wise Birbal.