34. The Stolen Swan

Once there lived a rich merchant in the city of Agra. One day the man went to festival fair with his family. The children enjoyed swings, food, sweets and games. When they were returning home, a poor boy came to the man. He upheld a small rusty cage with a beautiful baby swan in it. The boy repeatedly asked the man to buy it.

The man and his wife liked the swan. They bought the swan from the boy and brought it to their home.

The family loved the new member. The children embraced it as it chuckled and flew around. The man also adored the bird. Over the months, the swam grew up and became an inseparable part of family. They fed it with love and took great care of her. The man even got a golden cage build for the swan.

During the night, the cage was hung up against the ceiling of the patio.

One night the swan was stolen. When the merchant and his family saw that the bird was missing, they became very sad.

The merchant was so upset that went to the emperor's court with his plea. He told Akbar about the lovely bird and his family's affection towards the bird. Akbar asked the merchant, 'What do think might have happened to the swan? Whom do you think can steal it?'

The merchant pondered and told that he suspected his servants behind the theft. The merchant was close well wisher of Akbar. Therefore Akbar asked his spies look into the matter. They spied the area around the merchant's home for over a week. They questioned the servants and people who passed the street. The spies returned to Akbar and admitted that the investigation was futile.

Finally Birbal stepped forward and sought Akbar's permission to intervene.

Birbal went to the merchant's home. He asked all servants to assemble and stand in row. Then he took the bird's cage and whispered some words into it. Everyone looked in surprise. 

The merchant asked, 'Birbal what are you doing?'

“Sah….. sh….. sh….., I have infused this cage with special powers. It will whisper the thief's name soon'.

Few minutes later Birbal put the cage down and looked around at all the servants. Then he turned to the merchant and said, 'Friend, the cage told me that the thief is here. He has killed your dear swan. But the swan's soul took a feather and hid it in the thief's turban'.

All the servants heard in amazement, except one who immediately started examining his turban to find the hidden feather.

Birbal noticed him and asked all other servants to leave. He examined the servant and claimed that he committed the theft. But the servant said he was innocent. After hours of questioning and threatening, the servant admitted his guilt. He was severely punished for stealing and killing the bird.