Thursday, March 12, 2015

86. How Akbar met Birbal

Emperor Akbar know for his passion for hunting. He often went on hunting expeditions with the royal servants and guards.

One fine day Akbar went for a hunting expedition. While they were passing through the deep forest, some of his courtiers were left the others behind. They lost their way in the wild. The day was coming to an end as the sun was about to set. It gradually became dark. Everybody was very hungry and thirsty.

However, the team kept its pace and finally reached junction of three roads. They were very happy to see the road, however none of them knew which road would lead to Agra, the capital. While they stood and talked among themselves, a young boy passed through one of the roads.

Akbar summoned the boy and asked him, ‘We lost our way, could you tell us which of these roads goes to Agra?’

The boy smiled and wittingly said, ‘O Great Emperor! Road cannot move. So how can any of these roads go to Agra or anywhere else?’ He laughed on his own joke.

Everybody around stood silently, gazing the boy in surprise and fear. The boy continued, ‘People and not roads travel to reach places’.

Hearing this, Akbar laughed and said, ‘You are right. Tell us, what is your name?’

The boy replied, ‘I am Mahesh Das’. He asked Akbar who he was.

The Emperor took out his precious ring and gave it to the boy, saying ‘I am the Emperor Akbar. You are fearless and witty. I need people like you. Come to my court with this ring and I shall recognize you. But for now tell us the way which will lead us to Agra’.


Mahesh Das humbly bowed before Akbar and pointed towards the road leading to Agra. The king left with his courtiers for his capital. 

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