Birbal and the Three Dolls: A Lesson in Wisdom

One day, an artist arrived at Emperor Akbar’s court carrying three beautiful dolls. They looked identical, so intricately crafted that even the keenest observer would find no difference between them. Akbar was fascinated and said, “These dolls are exquisite. Sell them to me, and I shall pay you handsomely.”

The artist replied, “Your Majesty, these dolls are not for sale. However, I offer them to you as a gift, provided someone in your court can determine which among the three is the best.”

This curious puzzle intrigued Akbar. He carefully examined the dolls but couldn’t tell them apart. He asked his ministers to try, but none could solve the mystery. Finally, Akbar turned to Birbal and said, “Birbal, I trust your wisdom. Solve this puzzle and determine which doll is superior.”

Birbal’s Examination

Birbal bowed respectfully and approached the dolls. He picked them up one by one, inspecting them closely. The court watched in silence, curious about how he would solve the riddle.

Taking the first doll, Birbal blew into its ear. The air passed through and exited from the other ear. He then picked up the second doll and repeated the process. This time, the air exited through the doll’s mouth. Finally, he took the third doll, blew into its ear, and noticed that the air didn’t exit from anywhere.

Birbal turned to Akbar and said, “Your Majesty, the third doll is the best among the three.”

The Explanation

Akbar, puzzled but intrigued, asked, “How did you determine that?”

Birbal explained, “These dolls represent different types of people:

• The first doll represents those who hear something and let it pass through, forgetting it immediately. They retain nothing and cannot be trusted with responsibility.
• The second doll represents those who cannot keep secrets. What they hear, they quickly share with others, making them untrustworthy.
• The third doll represents the wisest kind of person—someone who listens carefully and keeps what they hear to themselves. Such individuals are rare and valuable.”

The Artist’s Praise

Impressed, the artist said, “I had heard tales of Birbal’s wisdom, but today I have witnessed it firsthand. Your Majesty, these dolls are now yours.”

Akbar, proud of Birbal’s intelligence, declared, “Birbal’s wisdom is truly unparalleled. It is an honor to have him in my court.”

Moral of the Story:

True wisdom lies in knowing when to listen, when to speak, and when to remain silent. Trustworthy individuals are those who value the importance of discretion.

This tale of Birbal highlights his extraordinary ability to derive profound lessons from seemingly simple challenges, leaving everyone in awe of his intellect.