Tales of Birbal and Akbar

Birbal was a wise peasant who befriended King Akbar when he, Birbal, was a little boy. Akbar and Birbal became fast friends and Birbal served as Akbar's minister when Birbal grew up. Here is a story about...

How Akbar met Birbal

When Akbar was still quite a young king, one day he went hunting with his friends. He was fond of hunting, and would hunt often. On this occasion, he had heard that there was plenty good of game to be found in this forest. As such, both he and his friends were looking forward to shooting many animals.

It was a hot summer's day, but no one minded the heat. All were most eager to begin their sport. Yet, as they rode along, they grew slowly disappointed. There wasn't a single animal to be seen.

"Really!" remarked Akbar. "Whoever said this forest was good for hunting must have been joking."

Still, in spite of not finding anything, quite hopeful, they continued to search, while the sun grew hotter and hotter. Soon everyone was thirsty.

Now, they began to search for a stream or a pond so they could drink some water. But even here they weren't successful.

"We must find a village,"suggested one of the men. "We are sure to find water there."

As this was a good idea,Akbar and his friends rode faster. As they went along, all of a sudden they spotted a small boy. He was carrying a bundle of sticks.

"Listen, young fellow!" called out Akbar as they drew close. "Is there a village close by? We want some water to dirink."

"Yes Sir, the village where I live is not far from here," answered the boy. "We have a tank, with plenty of water."

"Then please take us to it," said Akbar.

"Certainly!" agreed the boy, and one of the men lifted him up onto his horse, and together they rode along.

Soon they reached the village where the boy lived. The boy took them to the tank. He was very helpful.He went off and filled a jug, and gave it to them to drink, one by one, as they got off their horses and sat down to rest.

When it came to Akbar's turn, Akbar took a good look at the boy. He was a bright little fellow, Akbar thought.

"What is your name? he asked him.

"What is your name? You tell me first, then I'll tell you," answered the boy boldly.

Akbar was surprised. No one had dared to speak to him that way.

"Do you know who I am?" he demanded angrily.

"Do you know who I am?" the boy replied with a smile.

Instead of growing more angry, Akbar began to laugh. He had a great sense of humor, and he quite liked the cheeky young fellow. Slipping off a diamond ring from one of his fingers, he handed it to the boy saying:

"Here! Take a look at this. It will tell you who I am."

Small as he was, the boy at once recognised the royal seal on the ring. He realised, this was the king he was talking to. He was so surprised, he couldn't speak.

Akbar was quite amused to see him so upset."When you grow up, little fellow," he said, "come visit me at my palace in Delhi. Bring this ring with you so that I will know you." And with that he mounted his horse again, and rode away with his friends.

The boy was by now busy examining the beautiful ring. He hardly noticed the king and his friends were gone till they were nearly out of sight. But quite delighted, he returned home and showed the ring to his mother.

His mother was very pleased to see the ring, and even more pleased to see who gave it to him, though she was quite upset when her son told her what he had said to the King.

"You should not have been so bold," she scolded him. "You should have told the king that your name was Mahesh Das."

The next moment she smiled, as she thought of the wonderful future that awaited her son, when he was old enough to accept the king's invitation. She hoped he would be famous one day.

"Mahesh," she said,"you are a clever boy. You must study hard. When you grow up, you must do what the king says. He is sure to help you become famous.

"Yes, Ma, I will go to the king's palace in Delhi, when I grow up," agreed Mahesh. "Iwill show the king this ring, and he will know me."

Very good!" smiled his mother. "But you had better give that ring for me to keep, till you are old enough to look after it. If you were to lose it, the king might not remember you."

Obediently, Mahesh handed over the ring. Like most children, as he grew up, he forgot about it. But he studied hard and grew learned and wise. He earned the name which he came to be known by later. This was Birbal, which means wise.