One day, Akbar was in a bad mood. He scolded Birbal for no reason and asked him to go away. As an obedient courtier, Birbal packed his belongings and went away. After a while, Akbar realised his mistake. But Birbal was nowhere to be found. Akbar knew Birbal couldn’t resist a challenge. So he announced, “Anyone who walks in the sun without carrying an umbrella but still is under shade shall win a thousand gold coins.” Next day, a man came walking in the sun, without an umbrella. He held a cot made of jute strings over his head and said, “I win! I walked in the sun but was still under the shade of this cot.” Akbar knew this was Birbal’s idea. He said, “Take me to the man who gave you this idea.” The man took him to his house, where Birbal was staying. Akbar apologised to Birbal and took him home.
Sun and Shade
