One day, Akbar decided to go around the capital. It was his practice to go on rounds around the villages in his capital to see if harmony was maintained by the villagers. Birbal always accompanied him, and both of them used to appreciate the beauty of the village together. Whenever Akbar passed through the villages, he used to let his gaze run as far as he could.
While Akbar and Birbal were passing through a field, they saw a woman who was pampering her baby. She looked at him with all the love in her eyes, smiled as he smiled too and kissed the baby on his forehead. At once, Akbar liked the view. But when he looked at the baby, he saw that he was very dark–complexioned and he seemed to be malnourished.
Akbar was wondering and could not keep the curiosity to himself and asked Birbal, “Tell me one thing, Birbal. Do you see that woman playing with her baby?” “Yes, Your Majesty,” answered Birbal. Akbar continued, “Look at the baby. He is so dark–complexioned and weak. How can his mother love him so unconditionally? Can’t she see this?”
Birbal was a little shocked to hear such words from Akbar. Then he said, “Your Majesty, a mother is such a creation of God, for whom everything in this world is loving and beautiful. She always sees the best in everything. And when it comes to her own baby, her love becomes unconditional. It is not the looks that matter for her. What matters is that she bore the child in her own body for nine months, and when the baby finally arrives, it surpasses all the happiness in the world. So, for a mother no baby is dark–complexioned and unhealthy.”
Akbar felt bad for saying such words for a little being. But then, he was curious to see the most beautiful baby in the world. He said, “I understand what you are saying, Birbal. However, I want to see the most beautiful baby in the world. Could you do that for me?”
Birbal replied, “Yes, Your Majesty. I can do that for you. But you will have to wait till tomorrow.”
The next day, Birbal ordered the guard to bring the most beautiful baby in the world and present him before the Emperor. The guard said, “O lord! Here is the most beautiful baby.” Akbar asked him how he knew that it was the most beautiful baby. The guard replied that he asked the baby᾿s mother who told that her baby was the most beautiful baby.
Then, Akbar realized that a mother’s love is always unconditional.
