One day, during lunch, Akbar and Birbal were served a dish made of brinjal. Akbar liked it very much. He said, “Birbal, there is nothing tastier than this dish, is there?” Birbal said, “You are right, Your Majesty.” Akbar called his chef and said, “This dish is very tasty. Please give Birbal some more brinjal.” Birbal said, “This dish is tasty but I will not have more, Your Majesty. I don’t like brinjal.” Akbar was confused. He said, “How can that be? You just said that the dish is tasty. How can you dislike brinjal?” “Your Majesty, I am your servant. It is my duty to agree with you. But I cannot change my taste. I really dislike brinjal,” said Birbal. Akbar said, “This is a surprising revelation, Birbal. But I accept it. I am glad you are honest with me and did not try to flatter me.”
The Brinjal Dish
