Occasionally, Akbar would disguise himself as a common man and walk the streets alone. Birbal would advise him to take along his guards, but Akbar never listened to him. One day, Akbar took to the streets, ignoring Birbal’s advice. After a while, a bearded man started following him. Akbar asked the man, “Who are you? Where do you live?” “I am a wanderer. I can live wherever I want!” said the man. Akbar said, “How can you be rude to Emperor Akbar?” The man asked, “What is the proof?” Akbar showed him the royal ring. The man snatched it and ran away. When Akbar returned to the palace, he saw a letter on his bed, along with his ring. The letter read: ‘I had warned you that it was unsafe on the streets without the guards!’ Akbar realised that it was Birbal who had snatched the ring. Thereafter, he always heeded Birbal’s advice.
The Stolen Ring
