Thursday, March 12, 2015

85. Little Less, Little More

Birbal had a daughter.

One day his daughter accompanied him to the royal court. At the time when this incidence took place she only five years.  

In the court, she greeted all the courtiers and the emperor. After greeting the emperor she sat besides her father. Just then, Akbar though of testing her wits. He wanted to know if she had the caliber and brain as her father had.

Akbar started talking to her. He asked her, ‘O little girl, do you know Persian?’

The girl replied, ‘Yes, a little lesser and a little more’

Akbar could not understand the girl’s reply, but Birbal smiled musingly. He asked Birbal what she meant to say.

Birbal explained, ‘She knows Persian a little more than those people who do not know Persian at all. But she knows lesser than those who know Persian well’.

Akbar smiled. He understood that the girl had inherited the witty charm from her father.

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