10. The Cock And The Hen

Birbal was righted handed man for Akbar. In fact the emperor was fond of him, and confided with him many of his secrets. However, one day Akbar was disturbed by the fact that he had never outwitted Birbal. So he decided to make fun of Birbal.

Akbar assembled all his courtiers except Birbal during the early hours of morning. He briefed them about his plan and explained how each of them would work to according to his plan. The courtiers agreed unanimously. As a matter of fact, many of them were happy that Birbal would be let down by Akbar with this plan in place.

When Birbal arrived in the court, Akbar said, ‘My trusted people, I would like share a dream I had last night’.

One of the courtiers exclaimed, ‘My Majesty, your dreams are God speaking to you himself. They are never wrong or deceptive’.

Akbar smiled and continued, ‘An honest man is one who pleases the Gods and the Kings. I saw that anyone fetches an egg from the royal garden pond, would evident his honesty. He would be a pious man and would be taken care of by God Himself! So I want each of you to make an attempt for it and prove your respective integrity. Even I will try it to see if I am pious too!’

The courtiers agreed. They all dispersed and gathered in the royal garden. First Akbar went into to the pond and returned with an egg. His people and royal servant, who gathered around as onlookers, applauded him. Following him other courtiers, went into the pond and each of returned with an egg. Akbar appreciated each of them.

Birbal stood and watch the entire sequence of event. He knew that ponds cannot hide eggs and fetching eggs cannot prove integrity. He understood that the scheme was planned by Akbar to prove his mettle over Birbal. Birbal kept thinking and when his turn arrived he took a dip in the pond and then rushed out towards the gathering cocking loudly. He intimated the cock’s way and kept cocking ‘cock – a – doodle doo’, until Akbar shouted and stopped him.

‘Birbal, why are you running around and cocking like a cock? You failed to fetch the egg and that proves that you are not an honest man’, Akbar contented with a smile.

Birbal bowed before Akbar and said, ‘My Majesty, I am cock and hence, I cannot lay eggs. All hens laid eggs and took their eggs from the royal pond. I came cocking after these hens with eggs so that I could chase them and get egg from them’.

Akbar was stunned. Birbal’s explanation implied that Akbar and all other courtiers were hens who laid eggs in the pond. They were stood wordless in embarrassment. Birbal watched them with a muted and contained smile.  

Akbar patted Birbal and said, ‘Wise and wit, cannot be fooled. You have once again proved your mettle Birbal. I am proud of you’. After this, Akbar happened to like Birbal more. He became more close to him and appreciated his humor even more. Akbar explained how he and other courtiers planned this and they went into the pond with the eggs. They had a hearty laughter together over the entire happening.