Once, Akbar went hunting with his courtiers. Birbal was also with him. When some time had passed, Akbar felt thirsty. Soon, they spotted a well. Akbar got off his horse and peeped into it. The well was dry. He was about to turn away, when one of his rings slipped from his finger and into the well. Birbal saw this. He left the place, only to return after some time with some fresh cow-dung. He threw the dung on the ring. Then he tied a long string to a stone and threw it on the cow-dung. Then they all went hunting. Before sunset, Birbal asked Akbar to stop by the well. Then he pulled the string. Along with it came the stone, which had stuck to the dried cow-dung. Underneath it all there was Akbar’s ring, set in the dung. Akbar praised Birbal and gave him precious gifts.
Akbar’s Ring in the Well
