One of Akbar’s courtiers went by the name Abdul Karim. He was blind in one eye. He was also jealous of Birbal. He spared no chance to spoil Akbar’s impression of Birbal. One day, Karim saw Birbal spitting betel nuts on a palace wall. He went to Akbar and complained about Birbal. Akbar was annoyed. He said, “Birbal, why did you spit on the palace wall? Next time, spit in an empty, useless place.” Birbal apologised to Akbar. Next day, after chewing betel nuts, Birbal spat into Karim’s blind eye. Karim went running to Akbar. Akbar roared, “Birbal! What is this?” Birbal bowed and said, “Your Majesty! Karim’s blind eye is empty and useless, so I spat in it!” Akbar laughed. He told Karim, “It’s not right to tell tales. When you saw Birbal spitting on the wall, you should have asked him not to do so instead of complaining to me.”
One-eyed Abdul Karim
