|| An Indian folktale ||
King Akbar was the greatest emperor of the Mughal dynasty in India. He was known for his sensible and compassionate rule.
Birbal was Akbar’s favourite minister in the court. Birbal was known for his wit and humour and his ability to solve the toughest of problems.
This spectacular duo made some of the most popular stories that are told and retold in Indian folklore. This story is about how they first met.
King Akbar loved hunting.
One day he and his hunting party had strayed far off from the kingdom while chasing a tiger.
He followed a path and came across many more paths. All the soldiers were confused too.
“What’s the way back? All roads look the same!”, he remarked.
Just then, a young man came walking down on one of the roads.
Seeing him, the Emperor’s men called out to him and ordered him to come forward. He did so, looking up at the richly-dressed hunters with bright eyes.
The King and his hunting party were all on horsebacks towering over the boy.
“Tell us, boy”, said Emperor Akbar, “which road goes to Agra?”
The young man began to smile.
“Huzoor (Your Highness), everybody knows that roads cannot move. How can this road go to Agra, or go anywhere else?” he said, and he chuckled delightedly at his own joke.
There was absolute silence.
Emperor stared down at the youth. His soldiers held their breath. They knew their emperor’s temper.
Not one of them dared to say a single word.
The young man repeated, “People travel, not the roads, do they?”
“No, they don’t”, answered emperor and suddenly began to laugh.
Nervously, his soldiers began to laugh too.
The youth ignored them and continued to look up at the emperor with twinkling eyes.
“What’s your name?” Emperor Akbar asked the young man.
“Mahesh Das”, he replied. “And what is your name, Huzoor?”
The emperor pulled off an enormous emerald ring which he wore on his hand. Leaning down, he gave it to the young man.
“You are speaking to Akbar, Emperor of Hindustan (India)”, he said.
“We need fearless young men such as you at our court, Mahesh Das ( Future Birbal). Bring this ring with you when you come, and I shall recognize and remember you. And now, show us the road we must take in order to get to Agra”.
Mahesh Das bowed low and pointed towards the capital.
The Emperor turned his horse and galloped away, followed by his soldiers.