Birbal

Emperor Akbar once ruled over India. He was a wise and intelligent ruler; and he had in his court the Nine Gems, his nine advisors, who were each known for a particular skill. One of these Gems was Birbal, known for his wit and wisdom. The story below is one of the examples of his wit. Do you have it in you to find the answer?

One day, Emperor Akbar posed a question to Birbal. He asked him what Birbal would choose if he offered either justice or a gold coin.

"The gold coin," said Birbal without hesitation.

On hearing this, Akbar was taken aback. "You would prefer a gold coin to justice?" he asked, not believing his own ears.

"Yes," said Birbal.

The other courtiers were amazed by Birbal's display of idiocy. They were full of glee that Birbal had finally managed himself to do what these courtiers had not been able to do for a long time - discredit Birbal in the emperor's eyes!

"I would have been disappointed if this was the choice made even by my lowliest of servants," continued the emperor. "But coming from you it's not only disappointing, but shocking and sad. I did not know you were so debased!"

How did Birbal justify his answer to the enraged and hurt Emperor?




























Answer

"One asks for what one does not have, Your Majesty." said Birbal, smiling gently and in quiet tones.

"Under Your Majesty's rule, justice is available to everybody. But I am a spendthrift and always short of money and therefore I said I would choose the gold coin."

The answer immensely pleased the emperor and respect for Birbal was once again restored in the emperor's eyes.