The Foolish Trader: Birbal’s Witty List

Emperor Akbar had a passion for various hobbies: chess, kite flying, listening to folktales, and his favorite—collecting magnificent horses. He prided himself on owning the finest breeds from across the world.

The Horse Trader’s Proposal

One day, a horse trader visited the royal court, showcasing a group of splendid horses. Akbar was impressed.

“These are remarkable horses,” Akbar said. “I will buy them all. Do you have more like these?”

The trader replied, “No, Your Majesty. But if you give me some money, I can travel to Afghanistan and bring back even finer horses.”

Without hesitation, Akbar purchased the group and handed the trader 200 gold coins for the additional horses. However, in his enthusiasm, Akbar failed to ask the man’s name, origin, or even where he could be contacted. The trader left with the money, promising to return.

A Long Wait

Days turned into weeks, and the trader did not return. Akbar grew restless. He finally turned to Birbal and asked him to compile a list of the ten greatest fools in the kingdom. Birbal agreed and presented the list the very next day.

The List of Fools

Akbar eagerly opened the list, only to find his own name at the very top. Shocked and annoyed, he demanded, “Birbal, what is the meaning of this? Why is my name listed as the greatest fool?”

Bowing respectfully, Birbal replied, “Your Majesty, you gave a large sum of money to a complete stranger without even asking for his name, his origin, or a way to find him. Isn’t that foolishness?”

Akbar, though slightly embarrassed, tried to defend himself. “But what if the man returns with the horses? Then what?”

Birbal smiled and said, “In that case, Your Majesty, I will remove your name from the top and replace it with his.”

Moral of the Story:

Acting impulsively without verifying facts can lead to foolish decisions. True wisdom lies in thinking things through.

This tale highlights Birbal’s cleverness in teaching Emperor Akbar a valuable lesson about caution and accountability, all while maintaining his characteristic humor and tact.