So many fools!
So many fools!
Emperor Akbar was taking a stroll in the palace garden with his
courtier Birbal following close behind. Just then, they sighted a
tall Pathan approaching them with reins of a pure bred horse in his
hand. Said he, ¡°Your Majesty, I am a horse trader from the Middle
East. If Your Majesty would allow, I would like to supply the best
Arab horses for your army. I have brought a horse as a specimen for
your inspection. If you like this one, I¡¯ll get any number for Your
Majesty.¡±
Emperor Akbar inspected the horse from all sides and patting the
mane of the stallion, whispered to Birbal, ¡°Birbal, ask the
treasurer to hand me a lakh gold sovereigns so that I may buy such
beautiful animals.¡±
Birbal bowed to the Emperor in respect and left. In no time he
returned with the treasurer in tow. Said the treasurer, while
handing over a bagful of sovereigns to Emperor Akbar, ¡°Here is the
money asked for by Your Majesty.¡±
Akbar happily took the bag and handing it over to the horse trader,
said, ¡°Here is a bagful of sovereigns. I wish to buy all the horses
you have on your estate. Kindly provide them soon.¡±
The trader with shining eyes took the bagful and promising to return
with all the horses he possessed, left the palace garden.
Next day, Akbar said to Birbal, ¡°Birbal, I asked you to chalk out a
list of fools present in my kingdom. Have you done the work?¡±
Birbal replied, ¡°The list is ready with me, Your Majesty. I have,
however, to add another name on this.¡±
The Emperor was pleased at the prompt action taken by Birbal and
impatiently said, ¡°Hurry up and add the last name. I want to know
the names of all the fools now.¡±
Birbal promptly noted down the name on his list before handing it
over to the Emperor. On seeing a long list of names, Akbar was very
amused. ¡°Gosh, I did not know that I had so many fools in my
kingdom.¡± So saying, he began to read the names on the list. On
reading the first name itself, the Emperor expostulated, ¡°Birbal,
what is the meaning of this impertinence? How dare you put my name
on top of the list? I want an immediate explanation from you.¡±
Birbal, without losing his cool, began to explain, ¡°Your Majesty
showed how gullible and foolish Your Majesty is. By giving away a
lakh sovereigns to a complete stranger without even asking for the
address of the horse trader, has not Your Majesty shown his
foolishness?¡±
The Emperor realised his mistake but not given to accepting defeat
easily, said, ¡°I¡¯m sure he will return soon with all the horses
for me.¡±
Birbal, not to be left behind either, added, ¡°In that case, I shall
delete Your Majesty¡¯s name and replace it with the horse trader¡¯s
to the list.¡±
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