Whenever Akbar got the time from the official works of the kingdom, he always had brainstorming sessions with Birbal to lighten the stress of everyone in the court. The Emperor liked to ask twisted questions and loved witty answers from Birbal. In fact, Akbar always made sure that he never fell short of tricky tasks for his favourite minister.
One evening, after a very serious discussion, Akbar thought of asking Birbal a very tricky question. One of the reasons of Akbar’s never-ending questions was that he liked to test Birbal’s intelligence whenever he could.
So, before the meeting was getting concluded, Akbar asked Birbal, “Birbal,
here is a question for you. Let us see what your answer comes. What would you choose between the two, a gold coin or justice?” Birbal thought for a few moments and said, “Your Majesty, I would choose a gold coin.”
For the very first time, Birbal’s answer had disappointed the Emperor as he was expecting him to choose justice instead of a gold coin. With disappointment Akbar said to Birbal, “This shocks me Birbal that you would choose a gold coin. I never knew that you were so materialistic. I always believed that you believed in the welfare of our people. So you would always go for justice. I ask you the same question again. Would you like to change your answer?”
Birbal replied, “I beg your pardon, Jahapannah; I do not seek to change my answer. I will stick to what I said, a gold coin.”
Akbar was shocked and said, “Why would you give such an inconsiderate answer? Aren’t you aware of the motto of our kingdom? If you have forgotten then let me remind you. It was, it is and it shall always be to serve justice to the people of our kingdom. This is a really sad day for me to learn that we differ at a point where we should have the same opinion, keeping the fact in mind that you are a very important of the kingdom, being my favourite minister.”
Birbal was quietly and patiently listening to the Emperor. The moment Akbar finished expressing his disappointment, Birbal said, “Your majesty, I beg your pardon; but I didn’t mean to let you down. But the truth is that I would choose a gold coin. I know that you are a fair and just Emperor. You have always served justice to the innocent and punished the guilty. I am a poor man. I don’t have enough savings; Neither do I own many valuables. I have to take care of my family as well. That is why I chose a gold coin.”
Akbar was satisfied with Birbal’s answer.
