77. The Best Weapon

One day during the court session, Akbar asked his courtiers, 'Tell me, which is the best weapon?'

The courtiers had many different answers - some said it is the sword, other held spear to be the best, still others said it was bows and arrows which work as the best weapon among all others. Each tried to prove their point with unique reasons.

Then Akbar turned to Birbal who was quietly sitting. He asked him, 'Birbal, what do you think? Which is the most effective weapon?'

Birbal spontaneously replied, 'My Majesty, the best weapon is the one which is useful where is needed'.

Listening to Birbal's reply, Akbar said, 'Birbal don't give such vague answers'.

Birbal calmly requested, 'Pardon me, my majesty, but when time allows, I shall prove my point'. Akbar mutely nodded.

One fine evening when the weather was pleasant, Akbar and Birbal decided to take a short tour across the capital city of Agra. They walked around and surveyed on various civil and political matters. While they were talking, suddenly they heard a loud commotion. They saw people around shouting and running heather thither. Akbar asked Birbal the reason for such commotion, when suddenly he saw a huge, wild elephant heading towards them.

Akbar exclaimed in anguish, 'It’s an untamed wild elegant Birbal. Let's run fast as we can'.

But Birbal explained, 'My Majesty, no matter how hard we try to run away and get out this elephant's way, it will soon overtake us'.

Akbar was restless. He looked for his sword and took it out. When Birbal saw the sword, he said, My Majesty, the sword is too small to defend against this barmy beast’.

Akbar realized it and put the sword back. Just then, Birbal saw a puppy sleep nearby. He took the puppy and threw it on the elephant’s trunk.

The sleepy pup was frightened and grabbed the elephant’s trunk. The elephant got confused seeing the puppy clinging on its trunk. It started moving back in an attempt to let the pup down. Seeing this Birbal said, ‘My Majesty! Now lets flee fast as we could!’

They ran away from the lane where the elephant stood with the pup and safely came back.

Back in palace, when they sat down together for evening beverages, Birbal asked Akbar, ‘My Majesty! Today the pup worked as a weapon against the barmy elephant. Could you tell me which category of weapons does the pup belongs to?’

Akbar laughed out. He said, ‘Birbal, I understand your point. There is no best weapon per say. A true weapon is one which comes handy when it is needed the most; and it is the ‘best weapon’ in that situation’. Akbar was pleased with Birbal. He rewarded him for his intelligence and thanked him for saving his life.