One morning, Akbar was walking in the garden. He was deep in thought when he stumbled against a small rock and hurt his foot. Angrily, he sent for the royal gardener. He told the gardener, “I hurt my foot because of you. You shall be sentenced to death tomorrow.” The gardener’s pleas fell on deaf ears. Teary-eyed, the gardener went to Birbal, who whispered a secret in his ear. Next day, Akbar asked the gardener about his last wish. The gardener cleared his throat and spat on Akbar’s foot. He had acted on Birbal’s advice. Everyone stared in disbelief. Then Birbal spoke. He said, “Your Majesty, this gardener is very loyal towards you. He was worried that people would dislike you for punishing him severely for a small mistake. So he committed a crime which was appropriate for a death sentence.” Akbar realised his mistake and pardoned the gardener.
The Good Gardener
