After the music competition, Akbar gave a challenge to Birbal. Now, it was painting competition. The Emperor was interested in not only music but also painting. In fact, he had a huge collection of paintings in his palace, which were very expensive. These two arts gave immense pleasure to the Emperor.
“Birbal, I have a task for you. You won the music competition and made me feel proud. I am very happy. Also, you are capable of solving any kind of problem. Now, I want you to make a painting.”
This time, Birbal’s was actually tense. He said, “Your Majesty, I beg your pardon but I don’t think that I would succeed in the challenge. I cannot even hold the painting brush, so it will be an impossible task for me to paint something.”
Birbal’s negative reply made the Emperor feel very angry. He said, “Birbal, I did not expect such a reply from you. You have let me down this time. I was feeling so proud of you. You haven’t even tried and you have already accepted the failure. This is not my concern whether you can or cannot hold the brush. I have ordered you to make a painting. Use your imagination and come up with something.”
Birbal understood that he had no other way out. It was not possible to get out of the challenge. So, he had to accept it. He said to the Emperor, “Your Majesty, I beg your forgiveness for not accepting the challenge. I am guilty on my part. Thus, I would like to correct my mistake by accepting your challenge. However, I need the time of a week. As I need to use my imagination. Since I am new to this form of art, I need some time to present something worthy before you.”
It was very tough for Birbal as he had no idea from where to begin. The time was coming closer when Birbal had to produce a beautiful painting before the Emperor And, finally it was the day when Birbal had to finish painting and show it to Akbar
“Birbal, I am very excited to see what you have painted,” said Akbar. Birbal replied, “I hope I shall be able to impress you, your majesty.”
Then, Birbal ordered his servant to bring the painting. The servant came in and Akbar saw that it was covered with a piece of white cloth. This made Akbar feel even more excited. When the cloth was removed, Akbar saw that there were just a few patches of blue and white. On being asked angrily, Birbal explained that it was the painting of a cow eating grass. Since the cow had eaten the grass, it went away.
