Emperor Akbar was a great patron of art. He also had keen interest in literature, history and mythology. Though he was illiterate, he often asked his learned courtiers to narrate various stories, anecdotes from history and literature.
One day Akbar recalled a story about Lord Vishnu, he heard from one of his learned courtiers. He asked Birbal, 'You must heard the story - once there lived a mighty elephant in a jungle. One day the elephant got stuck in a trench. She hurt her forefoot badly and gave a loud cry of anguish. When Lord Vishnu heard her cry, he rushed to help her. Birbal, Lord Vishnu has many servants. I wonder why he rushed to help the elephant herself rather than sending anyone of his servants?'
Birbal smiled and said, “My Majesty, give me few days, and I shall answer your question to your content'.
After this, Birbal came in close touch with one of the royal servants. The servant was commissioned to take Akbar’s grandson for a walk.
One day, Birbal took Akbar's grandson to an artist. He asked the artist to make a wax statue of the boy. The artist did so. Birbal embellished the statue and adored it with best of royal clothes.
Birbal gave the statue to the royal servant and said, 'Next morning, when the king goes to the royal garden for walk, follow him quietly with this statue. When you are near the garden pool, save your self and let the statue fall into the water. Then cry for help'.
Next morning, Birbal escorted Akbar to the garden for walk. The servant quietly followed them with the statue and then slipped it into pool water. He cried loudly for help. Akbar and Birbal rushed towards the pool. Seeing his grandson drowning, Akbar immediately jumped into the pool to rescue him. When Akbar caught the arm, he realized it was a wax statue.
Birbal, servants and all royal attendants stood around the pool watching Akbar. Akbar came out and looked at Birbal with questioning eyes.
Birbal said, 'Pardon me my Majesty! But your servants and attendants are all around the place. Then why did you bother to jump into the pond yourself?'
King Akbar replied, 'Birbal, I thought it was my grandson. When I heard the cry of anguish, I was unable to think of anyone and just rushed to save him from drowning'.
Birbal smiled and explained, 'My Majesty, Lord Vishnu did exactly what you did today. God treats his devotees as his own children and loves them dearly. If something wrong happens to
his devotees, God reaches them directly'.
Akbar understood what Birbal meant and rewarded him with a golden necklace
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