49. Three Questions

Emperor Akbar was very fond of Birbal. He was liked for quick wit, humor and sheer intelligence. Due to his closeness to the king, many courtiers envied Birbal, while other loathed him.

One of the courtiers in the counsel of ministers always had a desire to became the chief minister. He knew that as long as Birbal was the chief minister, he could succeed in getting that position. He desired to play a trick to relegate Birbal.

One fine afternoon, after Birbal gave a wonderful demonstration of his poetic skills, the emperor applauded him in the front of entire courtier. Hearing this, the courtier became very angry. He was green with envy. He outrageously rose up and said, ‘O Great emperor, it is a small demonstration that Birbal gave. It is worthy of such great appreciation. It is unjust to praise someone for such a small show’.

Akbar asked the courtier, ‘So what can Birbal do to prove his wit and worth?’

The annoyed courtier replied, ‘I have three questions. If Birbal replies them appropriately, I would accept he is intelligent and praiseworthy’.

Akbar knew that Birbal can stand challenges such as these. So he immediately agreed.

The courtier said, ‘My three questions are – First, how many stars are there in the sky. Second, where is the center of the Earth and finally, how many men and how many women were there in the world’.

Akbar prompted Birbal to answer the questions.  He told him, ‘Birbal answer these questions. If you are unable to answer any one of these, you would have to resign from the chief minister’s position right away’.

Birbal asked one of the servants to get a sheep. When the sheep was brought, he said, ‘There are as many stars in the sky as there is hair on this sheep’s body. If fellow courtier desires to know the number he can count the sheep’s hair’.

Then Birbal drew a couple of lines on the floor and bore an iron rod in it. He said, ‘This is the center of the Earth. My fellow courtier should know how to measure it and verify it’.

Birbal finally came in the center of the court and said, ‘My majesty, counting the exact number of men and women in the world is challenging, as there are people who are neither men, nor women like my fellow courtier.  So, if all people like him are killed it would be easier for me to count the exact number of men and women’.

The entire court broke into a loud laughter. The courtier felt deeply insulted and went away. He resigned as a courtier from the royal counsel.