Akbar was bored one day and told Birbal he wanted to hear the most amazing story. Birbal started. 'There was a magical tree in a far - off land. This tree bore fruits that could grant wishes. But there was a dragon guarding it. One day, a brave boy decided to get a fruit. He tricked the dragon by making it chase its own tail. Then he got the fruit and wished for peace in his land.' Akbar was very entertained by this story.
Once Akbar lost his precious ring in the palace gardens. He called Birbal and said that if he couldn't find it, he would be punished. Birbal calmly walked around the garden. Then he noticed a small hole. He called for a bucket of water and poured it into the hole. Soon, a mouse came out with the ring in its mouth. Akbar was amazed and rewarded Birbal.
Once, Akbar asked Birbal, 'Birbal, how many stars are there in the sky?' Birbal quickly replied, 'Just as many as the hairs on your Majesty's beard.' Akbar was amused and satisfied with this clever answer.
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.
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.'
Akbar was a great Mughal emperor and Birbal was one of his most trusted courtiers. Birbal was known for his wit and intelligence. There are many stories about them. For example, once Akbar asked Birbal to count the number of crows in the kingdom. Birbal smartly replied that there were 99,999 crows. When Akbar questioned how he was so sure, Birbal said if there were more, then some crows must have come from other kingdoms to visit their prosperous land and if there were less, then some of their crows must have gone to visit other places.
Akbar once said to Birbal, 'Birbal, can you make me laugh without saying a word?' Birbal nodded. He then started making the funniest faces. His eyes bulged out, his nose twitched, and his mouth twisted into all sorts of odd shapes. Akbar couldn't help but burst into laughter at Birbal's comical expressions.
Akbar was a great Mughal emperor and Birbal was one of his most trusted and intelligent courtiers. There are numerous stories about them. One story is about Akbar challenging Birbal to find the most beautiful thing in the world. Birbal said it was 'a just ruler'. His reasoning was that a just ruler brings peace, prosperity and harmony to the land, which is the most beautiful thing. Akbar was highly impressed by Birbal's answer.
One day, Akbar asked Birbal, 'How many crows are there in my kingdom?' Birbal quickly replied, 'There are ninety - five thousand four hundred and sixty - three crows, Your Majesty.' Akbar was astonished and asked, 'How can you be so sure?' Birbal said, 'If Your Majesty finds more crows, they are visiting from other kingdoms. If there are fewer, some must have gone on a visit to other kingdoms.' Akbar laughed at this clever answer.
One day Akbar asked Birbal, 'How many crows are there in my kingdom?' Birbal quickly replied, 'There are 99,463 crows, Your Majesty.' Akbar was puzzled and asked how he knew. Birbal said, 'If there are more, some crows must be visiting from other kingdoms. If there are less, then some of our crows are visiting other places.'
Once Akbar and Birbal were taking a walk in the garden. Akbar saw a mango tree full of ripe mangoes. He said to Birbal, 'I want to know how many mangoes are there on this tree without counting them.' Birbal said, 'Your Majesty, there are as many mangoes as there are leaves on the tree.' Akbar was amused and realized Birbal's quick - thinking ability.
Well, Birbal was a very intelligent courtier in Akbar's court. Akbar often tested Birbal's intelligence. One time, Akbar wanted to see if Birbal could really understand the minds of people. So he put a fish in a bowl and asked different courtiers what the fish was thinking. When it was Birbal's turn, he said the fish was missing its home which was the river. His answer was so unique and wise compared to others' silly guesses.