The Akbar-Birbal stories are an iconic part of Indian folklore, known for their humor, wisdom, and life lessons. These tales feature Emperor Akbar and his witty advisor, Birbal, whose sharp intellect and clever solutions often teach valuable moral lessons. Through humorous dialogues and situations, these stories not only entertain but also offer timeless wisdom that continues to resonate with people of all ages.
In this blog, we will explore some of the best Akbar-Birbal stories, each accompanied by a moral that encourages reflection and learning.
Birbal Goes To Heaven
Emperor Akbar had a great affection for Birbal, which made him the Emperor’s favorite. This special bond caused envy among the other courtiers, who constantly tried to bring Birbal down. However, they were never able to succeed in their schemes.
One of the most jealous individuals was Akbar’s barber. One day, while trimming the Emperor’s beard, the barber came up with a wicked plan. He said, “Your Majesty, I dreamt of your father last night.” The Emperor, intrigued, asked, “What did he say?”
The clever barber replied, “He said he’s very happy in paradise, but he misses someone with a good sense of humor. He asked if you could send someone who could entertain him, and that person would be greatly rewarded.”
Seeing the Emperor puzzled about whom to send, the barber suggested Birbal. Akbar, without much thought, agreed to the idea.
The next day, the Emperor called for Birbal and said, “Birbal, you’re loyal to me, and I trust you. You are willing to sacrifice anything for me, right?”
Birbal responded confidently, “Yes, Your Majesty, that is true.”
“Then go to heaven and entertain my father,” Akbar ordered.
Birbal, wise as always, quickly realized that this was part of a scheme to get rid of him. The Emperor gave him a week to prepare. Instead of panicking, Birbal came up with a clever plan. He dug a grave near his house and created a tunnel leading to a secret room inside his home.
When the time came, Birbal returned to the court and said, “I’m ready, but I have two conditions.”
Akbar agreed, eager to fulfill Birbal’s final wishes.
Birbal stated, “I wish to be buried near my house, and I want to be buried alive so I can travel to heaven to entertain your father.”
Akbar, thinking this was a noble gesture, agreed. The courtiers and the barber were thrilled, thinking that Birbal would be gone for good.
Birbal was buried alive near his house, but thanks to the tunnel, he was safe. He stayed hidden for six months, allowing his beard and hair to grow long and untidy. During this time, Birbal also discovered that the barber was behind the plot to have him killed.
After six months, Birbal emerged and went to the Emperor. Akbar, overjoyed to see him, asked, “Birbal, how is my father? Did he send you back or did something else happen?”
Birbal smiled and said, “Your Majesty, my time in heaven was well spent. Your father was so pleased with my company that he allowed me to return and entertain his beloved son.”
The Emperor asked, “Did he send a message for me?”
Birbal replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. He wanted you to know that there is no barber in heaven. Just look at my beard and hair to understand! He said you should send your own barber to him.”
Akbar instantly understood the plot. He rewarded Birbal generously and punished the barber with life imprisonment for his treachery.
Moral of the Story:
Wisdom and quick thinking can outsmart even the most dangerous plans. It’s always important to remain calm and use intelligence to solve problems.
The Pot of Wisdom
Once, the Empress pressured the Emperor to appoint her brother, Gulam Sheikh, as the Wazir. Succumbing to her pressure, the Emperor removed Birbal from his post and appointed Gulam Sheikh in his place.
The King of Iran, who always envied Emperor Akbar’s wisdom, knew that Birbal was unmatched in brilliance. Upon hearing about Birbal’s removal, the Iranian Emperor sent a messenger with a message for Akbar. Along with the message, the messenger carried several empty pots.
The message read: “I’ve heard a lot about your wise courtiers. I need a few pots of wisdom for my own use. If wisdom is not available, then please send the empty pots.”
The Emperor tasked Gulam Sheikh with solving the puzzle, but he was utterly perplexed. He spent many sleepless nights trying to figure it out, but was unsuccessful. In frustration, Gulam Sheikh went to his sister, the Empress, and confessed that he was unable to solve the puzzle.
The worried Empress asked herself, “What will happen if the solution is not sent?” Desperate for a solution, she called Birbal for help.
Birbal listened to the entire story, took the pots, and devised a clever plan. He called the royal gardener and asked him to plant pumpkin seeds in the garden. As the pumpkins grew, Birbal instructed the gardener to place one small pumpkin in each of the pots, without removing the fruit from the plant. He asked the gardener to allow the pumpkins to grow inside the pots.
After several months, the pumpkins grew larger and eventually filled the pots entirely. Birbal then plucked the pumpkins from the plants and placed them back into the pots. He sent the pots, along with a message, to the Iranian Emperor.
The message read: “As per your wish, we are sending a small amount of wisdom, filled in these pots. Please take it out without breaking the pots.”
The messenger delivered the pots to the Iranian Emperor, who read the message and looked at the pots. Upon inspection, the Emperor exclaimed, “It seems Birbal has been reappointed as Wazir. This wisdom cannot belong to Gulam Sheikh!”
The messenger returned to Akbar’s court and recounted the entire episode. When the Empress heard the news, she immediately urged the Emperor to reappoint Birbal as Wazir, recognizing his unmatched wit and wisdom.
Moral of the Story:
Wisdom is not something that can be contained in an object; it is revealed through actions and clever thinking.
Fear or Love?
“I think my people love me,” Akbar beamed during his stroll with Birbal in the royal garden.
“You are right, Your Majesty,” Birbal replied. “But people also fear you.”
Akbar frowned. “I do not believe it.”
“I will prove it, Jahanpanah,” Birbal said and shared his plan with Akbar.
The next day, Akbar announced that he would be going on a dangerous hunt in the jungle. As a gesture of respect, he instructed his subjects to pour a cup of milk into a large tub placed at the center of the royal palace courtyard.
The next day, when Akbar checked, he found that the tub was filled with watery milk.
Birbal smiled knowingly. “Several subjects must have poured water, thinking that others would pour milk, and their water would be camouflaged.”
Akbar was surprised and slightly disappointed.
The following day, Akbar made a similar announcement but added that he would personally check who was pouring the milk. When he returned, he found the tub overflowing with fresh, pure milk.
“Didn’t I tell you, sir?” asked Birbal. “This time, people poured pure milk because they were afraid that you would find out there was no milk in it. Your subjects care for you, but they also fear you. That is why they filled the tub with milk this time.”
Moral of the Story:
Love can inspire loyalty, but fear can sometimes drive actions more directly.
A Castle in the Air
Akbar, known for his generosity, was a king who often dreamt big and tried to implement his ideas. One day, he said to his courtiers, “Most kings build magnificent structures so that the world remembers them after they are gone. I want to build something unique, like a castle in the air.”
The courtiers, eager to flatter him and also play a trick on Birbal, chimed in, “Sir, you are such a great king. With intelligent people like Birbal in your court, there is nothing that is impossible for you.”
“What do you say, Birbal?” asked Akbar, expecting a suitable reply.
Birbal, always ready with a solution, said, “Your Majesty, building a castle in the air is difficult but not impossible.”
“Can you do that?” Akbar asked eagerly.
“Of course, Your Majesty,” Birbal responded, accepting the challenge. “But the arrangements must come from your side. Also, I will need a three-month break to find the suitable architects.”
“I accept all your conditions,” said the king, eager to see the project come to life. “Go ahead with your plan.”
Birbal traveled to another country, where he met a bird-seller. He ordered around two hundred intelligent parrots. After a few days, the bird-seller delivered the parrots to Birbal.
Over the course of three months, Birbal trained the parrots to shout, “Get me bricks, get the cement, hurry up!”
When Birbal returned to Akbar’s court, he said, “Your Majesty, the architects have been arranged. You just need to prepare for the construction.” Birbal then asked Akbar to come outside the palace to see the site.
As soon as the king stepped out, Birbal whispered to a servant, who opened the door of the cage, allowing the parrots to fly out. The parrots perched on nearby trees and began shouting, “Get the bricks, get the cement, hurry up!”
Birbal said, “Did you hear that, Majesty? The architects are demanding materials. Ask your servants to give them what they need.”
Akbar laughed, realizing the trick. “Birbal, I accept my defeat. How can I give them materials in the air?”
Birbal replied, “Don’t worry, Majesty. After a few more moments, they will fly away.”
And indeed, the parrots flew away shortly after, leaving Akbar to acknowledge the cleverness of Birbal’s plan. From that day on, Akbar gave up on such silly aspirations.
Moral of the Story:
Dreams should be practical, and sometimes we need a clever solution to turn impossible ideas into a lesson.
The Best Weapon
One day, a discussion was held in King Akbar’s court about the best weapon for protection. Some courtiers suggested the sword, while others favored the knife or the spear. King Akbar, curious to hear Birbal’s opinion, asked him, “What do you think is the best weapon?”
Birbal thoughtfully replied, “Your Majesty, if there were a best weapon, everyone would be using the same one. I believe that the weapon that comes to hand in a dangerous situation is the best weapon.”
King Akbar disagreed. “I don’t agree with you at all,” he said.
To prove his point, Birbal decided to demonstrate the truth of his words. The next day, as he and King Akbar walked through the city, Birbal led the king down a narrow street. Suddenly, they were confronted by a mad elephant charging toward them.
The king panicked. He reached for his sword, but he quickly realized that a sword wouldn’t be enough to stop the enraged elephant. There was no time to escape through the narrow street. In that moment, Birbal spotted a pup lying near a wall. Without hesitation, he grabbed the pup and threw it at the elephant.
The pup, frightened by the sudden throw, landed on the elephant’s trunk. It clung tightly to the trunk with its teeth and claws. The elephant, startled and agitated by the unexpected sensation, began to retreat, trying to shake off the pup. The narrow street prevented the elephant from swinging its trunk effectively. As the elephant backed away, King Akbar sighed in relief, wiping the sweat from his forehead.
Birbal turned to the king and said, “Your Majesty, in this situation, the pup was the most effective weapon to save us. Do you think of the pup as a weapon now? Do you understand what I was saying?”
King Akbar smiled, finally understanding the point Birbal was making. He rewarded Birbal with a pearl necklace for saving his life and teaching him a valuable lesson about what truly makes a weapon.
Moral of the Story:
The best weapon is not always the one we expect—it is the one that proves most useful in the moment of need.
The Parrot Neither Eats, Nor Drinks
One day, someone gifted a beautiful talking parrot to Emperor Akbar. Akbar was very fond of the parrot, as it not only spoke but could also respond to his questions. The Emperor made special arrangements for the parrot’s care and safety and even issued a decree: if anyone dared to inform him of the parrot’s death, they would be hanged.
The caretakers took extreme precautions to ensure the parrot’s well-being, guarding it day and night. However, despite all efforts, the parrot passed away one day.
None of the caretakers dared to inform the Emperor, fearing for their lives. In their panic, they went to Birbal for help. “If we inform the Emperor about the parrot’s death, he will have us hanged. But if we don’t tell him, he will kill us anyway. Please help us,” they pleaded.
Birbal thought for a moment and told the caretakers to return to their duties. The next day, Birbal himself went to the Emperor and began, “Alampanah, your parrot…”
“Yes, Birbal. What about my parrot?” asked Akbar, eager to hear more.
Birbal hesitated, “Your parrot is…” Akbar pressed him again, “Tell me, Birbal. What happened to my parrot?”
Birbal continued, “Your parrot is neither eating anything, nor drinking. It is neither saying anything, nor moving its wings. It is neither opening its eyes, nor…”
The Emperor, growing more anxious, interrupted, “What? Has the parrot died?”
Birbal replied calmly, “I did not say it. You said it.”
Akbar immediately understood why Birbal had approached the situation in such a clever manner. He appreciated Birbal’s wisdom, and none of the servants were punished for the parrot’s death.
Moral of the Story:
Sometimes, a clever and tactful approach is the best solution to a difficult situation.
Birbal’s Khichadi
One cold winter day, Akbar and Birbal were walking by a lake. Akbar, feeling the cold, dipped his finger into the freezing water and immediately pulled it out. He said, “I don’t think anyone can endure a night in this cold water.” Birbal, ever ready for a challenge, responded that he would find someone who could do it. Akbar, intrigued, promised a reward of 1000 gold coins to anyone who could spend the entire night standing in the cold water.
Birbal soon found a poor man who agreed to take on the challenge for the reward. The man stood the entire night in the freezing water, guarded by two royal soldiers. By morning, he was brought before the king.
Akbar, impressed but skeptical, asked how the man managed to endure the cold. The poor man explained, “My lord, I kept looking at a lamp burning at a distance, and I focused on it all night.” Upon hearing this, the Emperor declared, “This man is not worthy of the reward. He could endure the cold because he was receiving warmth from the lamp.”
The poor man, heartbroken, turned to Birbal for help. The next day, Birbal did not appear in court, so Akbar went to his house to inquire. To his amusement, he found Birbal sitting beside a fire with a pot hanging six feet above it. When Akbar asked what he was doing, Birbal casually replied, “I’m cooking khichadi, my lord.”
Akbar burst into laughter, thinking it was impossible. Birbal calmly responded, “If a poor man can be warmed by merely looking at a lamp, I can cook khichadi in the same way.” Akbar immediately understood Birbal’s point and decided to reward the poor man, recognizing that hope and belief can inspire people to overcome challenges.
Moral of the Story:
Hope can inspire people to work hard, and sometimes, the right perspective is all it takes to solve a problem.
Birbal’s Sweet Reply
Emperor Akbar, known for his playful nature, loved asking his courtiers intriguing questions to amuse himself. One day, he entered the royal court, settled on his throne, and asked his courtiers, “What punishment should be given to a person who pulls my moustache?”
The prime minister quickly suggested, “He should be beheaded!”
The treasurer chimed in, “He should be flogged!”
The chief of the army stated, “He should be hanged!”
The court was filled with suggestions for extreme punishments. Akbar then turned to Birbal and asked, “What do you think, Birbal?”
Birbal remained silent for a moment before responding, “Huzoor, he should be given sweets!”
The court was taken aback, and Akbar, surprised by Birbal’s unusual response, asked in disbelief, “What? Birbal, have you gone crazy? Do you even know what you’re saying?”
Birbal, with his usual calm, replied, “I am not crazy, Jahanpanah! And I know exactly what I am saying.”
Akbar, still puzzled, asked, “Then why would you suggest that the person who pulls my moustache should be rewarded with sweets?”
Birbal answered, “Because, Huzoor, the only person who would dare to do such a thing is your grandson.”
Akbar, realizing the truth in Birbal’s words, was very pleased with the clever response and rewarded Birbal by giving him his royal ring.
Moral of the Story:
Wisdom and wit can often turn a seemingly challenging situation into an opportunity for humor and insight.
The Most Beautiful Child
One day, Emperor Akbar saw a woman lovingly hugging and kissing a very dark, unattractive, and awkwardly looking child. Despite the child’s appearance, the woman called him the most beautiful child in the world. The sight surprised the Emperor, and he turned to Birbal, asking, “Birbal, how can a woman love a child who is so unattractive?”
Birbal, always quick with a thoughtful response, replied, “Your Majesty, the child must be her own. To every mother, her child is the most beautiful in the world.”
Although Birbal’s answer was wise, the Emperor wasn’t entirely convinced. So, the next day, when the royal court gathered, Birbal ordered a guard to find the “most beautiful child in the world” and bring him to the court.
The following day, the guard returned with a child who was quite unattractive—he had large teeth, messy hair, and a rather odd look. “This is the most beautiful child in the world, Your Majesty,” the guard announced.
The Emperor asked, “How can you say that this child is the most beautiful?”
The guard meekly replied, “Your Majesty, I went home and shared my problem with my wife. She believes that our child is the most beautiful in the world, so I brought him here to the court.”
The Emperor, now understanding Birbal’s point, smiled at the truth behind the saying that every mother sees her child as the most beautiful.
Moral of the Story:
A mother’s love for her child is unconditional, and in her eyes, her child is always the most beautiful, no matter how they look. Love has the power to see beauty where others might not.
The Foolish Thief
Once upon a time, in Emperor Akbar’s kingdom, a rich merchant was robbed. Distressed and helpless, the merchant went to the royal court to ask for help. Akbar, seeking to solve the case, instructed Birbal to find the thief.
The merchant suspected one of his servants, so Birbal decided to investigate. He summoned all the servants and lined them up in front of the court. When asked about the robbery, all of them denied any involvement, just as Birbal expected.
Birbal then gave each servant a stick of equal length. Before they left, he told them, “By tomorrow, the robber’s stick will grow two inches longer.”
The next day, Birbal called everyone back. He carefully inspected their sticks and noticed that one stick was two inches shorter than the rest.
Birbal explained to the merchant, “It was simple. The thief, fearing the stick would grow longer, cut it by two inches to make it look the same as the others.”
The merchant was amazed by Birbal’s cleverness, and the thief was caught.
Moral of the Story:
Truth always prevails. No matter how hard someone tries to hide the truth, it will always be revealed.
Also Read: Tenali Raman Stories for Kids
Final Thought
The Akbar-Birbal stories are more than just entertaining tales; they are an excellent way to impart moral values and life lessons.
Birbal’s wit and Akbar’s curiosity create a perfect combination for teaching timeless principles like honesty, wisdom, and the importance of seeing things from different perspectives.
By reflecting on these stories, we can gain deeper insights into how humor and wisdom can be used together to navigate the challenges of life.
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