Emperor Akbar was very fond of
birds. He rewarded anyone who gifted him with beautiful, rare and exotic spices
of birds. People in his kingdom knew about his love for birds.
One day a man heard about Akbar’s
love for bird when men in village were talking about it. The man was unemployed
and not real source of income. He thought of taking some bird to impress Akbar
in want of reward.
Next day the man when to the
court of Akbar with a very colorful bird. The man explained how rare the bird
was. The man said, ‘My Majesty, this is a very rare bird. Although plumage is not
as brilliant as that of a peacock, it has the ability to dance as gracefully as
a peacock. Akbar was pleased to see such a bird. He immediately took the bird
and rewarded the man with fifty gold coins.
The man took the gold coins and
ran away fast as he could.
After the man left Birbal went to
Akbar and said, ‘My Majesty, this bird is nothing like a peacock. In fact, it looks
like it has not taken bath for months. Let me give it a bath’.
Birbal asked the servants to
fetch a wide vessel and large glass of water. Birbal placed the bird in the
vessel and poured water on it slowly. It came to their surprise, as the people
in the court saw colorful water dripping down the bird’s plumage. Eventually
all color came off its body and it was discovered that the bird was none other
than the common domestic pigeon. The man had fooled the emperor in want of
reward.
Akbar was shocked and angry. He
asked his men to rush and bring back the man in court. The soldiers rushed and
soon returned with the man. Akbar asked the man, ‘Tell us my you breached my
trust?’
The man said, ‘My Majesty, I am a
poor man with no source of income. Few days back I heard people in village
talking about your liking for the birds, and how you reward people who brought
exotic species of birds for you. So I came here with the pigeon which nested in
one of the corners of my house. I painted it and presented it to you. I beg you
to forgive me!’
However, Akbar was very angry. He
asked his servants to take away and keep him in the prison for one month as
punishment for dishonesty and treachery.
Akbar turned to Birbal and asked
him how he came to know the man treachery. Birbal said, ‘My Majesty, I saw that
the man’s nails had colors’.
Akbar was impressed with the keen
observant eye Birbal had for details. He rewarded Birbal and appreciated him
greatly.
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