Thursday, March 26, 2015

20. The Camel's Milk

One day Akbar's grandson was practicing sword fighting when his hand got badly wounded. The royal physicians who came to see the boy suggested use of camel's milk to heal the wound fast.

Akbar made an announcement in his court, asking his people to get camel's milk. People were surprised to hear this, however no one dare contradict the emperor's word. Days passed by but no one came to the king with the camel's milk.

Akbar was worried about his grandson. Finally he called Birbal and said, 'My Majesty, it is rather impossible to get camel's milk as there is no such thing like camel's milk!'

But Akbar countered, 'Our royal practitioners have suggested it, so it should exist'.

Birbal could not say further. He quietly returned home thinking about how to make the emperor understand the situation.

Few days passed by. Birbal could not attend the court as he was constantly thinking about how to answer Akbar. When Birbal did not turn up for days together, Akbar got worried. He asked his messenger to see Birbal in person and understand why he was not attending the court.

The messenger went to Birbal's house. Birbal had a daughter. The messenger saw the girl watching clothes outside house and asked her, 'Where is Birbal? Why is he not coming to court?'

The girl greeted the messenger and replied, 'My father gave birth to a child last night'.

The messenger was shocked and surprised. He could not take it and went back. He told the king about Birbal's condition. The emperor too was taken aback. He decided to meet Birbal.
Akbar went to Birbal's house. Birbal was seated on a cot. Birbal greeted the king. The emperor smiled and asked, 'Birbal, we are surprised to hear that you fathered a child!  Tell us how you made this possible. How can a man give birth to a child?'.

Birbal politely replied, 'My Majesty, if a camel can yield milk, then why can't a man give birth to a child?'

Akbar laughed out. He patted Birbal in his shoulder and asked him to return to the court soon as possible.

Akbar returned to the court and canceled his orders for the camel's milk.

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