Akbar and Birbal had a story where Akbar drew a line on the floor and challenged Birbal to make it shorter without erasing it. Birbal simply drew a longer line beside it. By comparison, the first line looked shorter. This shows Birbal's cleverness in solving problems in an unconventional way.
One day, Akbar wanted to test Birbal's intelligence. He hid his ring in a pile of ashes and asked Birbal to find it. Birbal asked for some flowers and scattered them on the ashes. Then he released some ants which were attracted to the flowers. The ants soon found the ring as they moved through the ashes. Akbar was amazed at Birbal's resourcefulness.
One story is that Akbar once asked Birbal how many crows were in his kingdom. Birbal quickly replied, 'There are ninety - five thousand four hundred and sixty - three crows, Your Majesty.' Akbar was surprised and asked how he could be so sure. Birbal said, 'If Your Majesty finds more crows, then some crows from other kingdoms must have come to visit. If there are fewer, then some of our crows must have gone on a trip to other kingdoms.'
One day, Akbar asked Birbal, 'How many crows are there in my kingdom?' Birbal quickly replied, 'There are 99,465 crows, Your Majesty.' Akbar was puzzled and asked how he knew. Birbal said, 'If there are more, some must be visiting from other kingdoms. If there are less, some must be on a journey.'
Akbar once told Birbal that he wanted to know what the most precious thing in the world was. Birbal thought for a while and said, 'Your Majesty, knowledge is the most precious thing. Because with knowledge, one can gain all other things like wealth, power and respect.' Akbar was very impressed with this answer and rewarded Birbal. This shows how Birbal's wisdom was not only in solving puzzles but also in giving profound thoughts.
One story is about Akbar asking Birbal how many crows are there in the city. Birbal quickly replied that there are 99,999 crows. When Akbar asked how he was so sure, Birbal said that if there were more, then the extra crows would be visiting from other places and if there were less, then some of our crows must be visiting other places.
Once Akbar lost his ring in the palace. He asked Birbal to find it. Birbal thought for a while and then announced that the thief was the person who had a long nose. All the courtiers started looking at each other's noses. Akbar was confused too. Birbal then said that he just wanted everyone to search themselves. And soon the ring was found in a corner of the room. This shows Birbal's cleverness in solving problems in an interesting way.
Once, Akbar and Birbal were taking a stroll in the palace gardens. Akbar noticed a group of parrots in a cage. He said to Birbal, 'Birbal, these parrots are so beautiful, but caged. Is it right to keep them like this?' Birbal replied, 'Your Majesty, just as these parrots are caged, many of your subjects feel caged by rules that are too strict or unfair.' Akbar was taken aback. He asked Birbal to suggest a solution. Birbal said, 'Your Majesty, just as we can open the cage and let the parrots fly freely, you can review the laws and make them more just and lenient so that your people can feel free and happy.' Akbar took Birbal's advice and made some changes in the laws, which made his people love him even more.
King Akbar was very fond of testing Birbal's wisdom. One day, he asked Birbal to count the number of crows in his kingdom. Birbal quickly replied that there were 99,999 crows. Akbar was puzzled and said how could he be so sure. Birbal said if there were more, some crows from other kingdoms must have come here and if there were less, some of our crows must have gone to other kingdoms.
Once, Akbar and Birbal were walking in the palace gardens. Akbar noticed a strange looking flower. He asked Birbal if he knew what kind of flower it was. Birbal said it was a 'Royal Mystery Flower'. Akbar was intrigued. Birbal then explained that it was so rare that only those with a pure heart could see it. Akbar laughed, realizing Birbal was joking, but also complimented his quick - wittedness.
There is also a story where Akbar lost his ring in the garden. He asked Birbal to find it. Birbal announced that the ring was with someone who had a long nose. Everyone in the court started looking at each other. Then Birbal said that the only person with a long nose in the court was Akbar himself as he was the king and his nose was like the trunk of an elephant in terms of importance. And Akbar found the ring on his own finger.
There is a story where Akbar wanted to test Birbal's wisdom. He put a long stick in a well and asked Birbal to measure the length of the stick without taking it out. Birbal simply measured the length of the part of the stick outside the well and then calculated the total length using the depth of the well. In another instance, Akbar was feeling sad and asked Birbal to make him laugh. Birbal told a very funny story about a king who tried to ride a donkey backwards and ended up falling into a pond. Akbar couldn't help but laugh.