The True Mother: A Tale of Birbal’s Wisdom

Once upon a time, Emperor Akbar was presiding over his grand court when two women arrived, weeping inconsolably, carrying a young child. They both claimed to be the mother of the boy.

The first woman pleaded, “Your Majesty, this boy is my son. I was gravely ill and unable to care for him, so I entrusted him to my friend. Now that I’ve recovered, she refuses to return him to me.”

The second woman countered, “She lies! This boy is mine, and she’s concocting this story to take him away.”

The court was in turmoil. Akbar found himself unable to decide who the real mother was. Turning to his trusted advisor, Birbal, he recounted the situation and sought his wisdom.

Birbal’s Test of Motherhood

After hearing both women, Birbal calmly said, “Your Majesty, since both women claim to be the boy’s mother, we should divide him equally and give each woman a half.”

The court gasped at the suggestion, but Birbal’s expression remained resolute. He ordered the guards to hand the child over to the royal butcher to carry out the division.

As the guards took the boy from the first woman, she fell to her knees, crying out, “No, Your Majesty! Spare the child! Let her keep him; I cannot bear to see him harmed.”

The second woman, however, remained silent, her face betraying no emotion.

Birbal Reveals the Truth

Birbal turned to Akbar with a smile. “Your Majesty, the real mother is the first woman. No mother would ever allow harm to come to her child, even at the cost of losing him.”

Akbar praised Birbal’s insight, and the first woman was reunited with her child. The court applauded Birbal’s wisdom, and Akbar rewarded him with a handsome gift.

Moral of the Story:

A mother’s love is selfless and knows no bounds. True love always puts the well-being of others above oneself.