18. Mother Tongue

During the medieval ages, there lived an eminent scholar. He was known far and wide for his knowledge and proficiency in many languages.

One day the scholar visited his friend's house, who told him about the wise men in court of Emperor Akbar. The friend took special mention of Birbal who was known for his wit and wisdom. He told how Birbal became a courtier in court of Akbar and how dear he was to the emperor. Hearing the praise, the scholar felt challenged. He decided to visit the court of Akbar and prove is mettle.

So next day, the scholar went to the court of Akbar. He asked Akbar to instruct his eminent courtiers to challenge his knowledge. The courtiers asked the scholar various questions in different languages. The scholar answered them very satisfactorily. In fact, people in the court were impressed by the scholar's knowledge.

After a volley of questions, the scholar said, 'Majesty, I challenge your eminent courtiers- if any one of them can disclose my mother tongue, I will accept his excellence. Else I will assume that I am superior to all of them'.

Akbar nodded in consent. He asked his courtiers to guess the scholar's Mother tongue. The courtiers began discussing among themselves. Some made wild guesses, while others kept silent. Finally, Akbar asked Birbal if he has an answer to the riddle.

Birbal said, 'My Majesty, give me some time. I shall reply by next morning'. Akbar agreed.

Next morning, the courtiers assembled. When the scholar arrived, he raised the question again and Akbar turned to Birbal. Birbal humbly stood up and said to the scholar, 'My friend, your mother tongue is Punjabi'.

The scholar was stunned. He accepted his defeat and immediately left the court. The entire court broke into a laughter and Akbar curiously asked Birbal, 'Tell me how you came to know his mother tongue?'

Birbal explained, 'My Majesty, last night I quietly entered the scholar's room. In the middle of late night, I tickled his ear with a blade of dry grass. He was disturbed in his sleep, when I repeatedly tickling and woke up. He sat up and screamed aloud in dark attempting to do away with the disturbance. But he could hardly see in dark and feel asleep. It is a matter of fact that in hour of distress, anxiety and regression, the person levels down from his higher states of intelligence to nativity. He would speak his first language as a reaction to any adverse situation. When the scholar shouted in Punjabi, I came to know his first language is Punjabi'.

Akbar was impressed by Birbal's thoughtful approach to the situation. Once again, he ushered his confidence in Birbal's thinking capability.