53. Birbal Kichri

One day Akbar and Birbal were taking a stroll in the royal garden. They talked on various matters including how money can compel people to odd things.

It was a frosty winter day. Chilly winds from icy mountains landed on planes, making it exceedingly cold.

As they walked further in the garden, they seated near a fountain. The water dripping from the stone statue allured Akbar and he tried to take it in his hands. The water was freezing and Akbar withdrew his hand immediately. He said, 'Birbal, you say people can do anything for money. Touch this water - It is bone chilling. Can someone stand in such water for whole night? I think no one can, even if they are offered money'.

Bribal said, 'I think a needy person can do that'.

But Akbar was not ready to believe Birbal. He challenged Birbal, 'Find a person who can stand in this chiming water for whole night. If he passes this rigorous test, I shall reward him with one thousand gold coins to that man'.

Birbal said, 'O Great Emperor! The reward you said is a huge sum. I am sure that someone will certainly agree to stand in this freezing water in want of the reward'.

The bet was publicly announced and people were invited to take the challenge. So a man from the village who was in need of money to marry away his daughter accepted the challenge.

The man stood in the freezing water for the entire night. He was guarded by Akbar’s men for the entire night.

Next morning after the dawn the man returned to his home. During the hours of court assembly he came to claim his reward. Abkar confirmed it from his guards and then he asked the man, ‘Tell us, how did you managed to stand in the freezing water for the entire night?’

The man explained, ‘O Great Emperor, to keep waking I kept watching a lamp post which stood few yards away. I kept thinking that the lamp had some heat. It was the hope for that warmth that helped me sustain this challenge’.

Hearing the man, Akbar said, ‘Indeed! You were kept warm by the heat from the lamp post. The challenge was to stand in the freezing water with no warmth around. As I understand, you were kept warm by the heat from the lamp post, therefore I refrain you from the right to be rewarded’.

The man pleaded, but Akbar refused to reward him. He was badly disappointed and left the court.

Soon the word went to the wise courtier – Birbal. Even Birbal was disappointed to hear Akbar’s decision.

After few days the royal team headed by Akbar went on a hunting expedition. After hours of hunting, Birbal suggested that they must camp and have some food. He told Akbar that he would make an excellent dal-rice mix (khichri) for him and others.

Birbal placed the dal rice in a cooking pot and lit the very small fire at a far height from the vessel. Then he began to chat with Akbar about the day’s adventures. Time ticked away – minutes into hour. Akbar was now more hunger. He desperately asked Birbal about the food. Birbal asked him to wait till the mix was cooked.

Time further passed by. Akbar was getting impatient, he again asked Birbal about the food and Birbal asked him to wait. Finally after a long wait, Akbar said, ‘I want to see how you are cooking the mix. I am hungry’.

Birbal took Akbar to the fire plot where cooking pot was kept. When Akbar saw the small fire at a distance from the cooking pot he was startled. He exclaimed, ‘Birbal! The fire is so small and at such a large distance from the pot. Tell me how do you expect the mix to cook with this fire?’

Birbal said, ‘O king of wise! If a man can kept warm in freezing water from the heat of a distant lamp post, why can’t this small fire reach the pot to cook the food?’

Akbar understood the underlying message for him. He asked Birbal to arrange for food and assured him that the man who stood in the freezing water for the entire night shall be rewarded as promised. Next day he called the man and rewarded him.