The Emperor of Agra was famous not only for bravery but also for generosity.
Once, he decided to donate some money among all blind people living in his kingdom. Since he didn’t want anybody to be left out, so he ordered one of his courtiers to make a list of all blind people. And the list was in the end to be checked by Birbal.
The courtier finished making the list in two days. Then, he handed it over to Birbal and Akbar asked him to make arrangements for donation.
Before any arrangements could be made, Birbal said, “Your Majesty, I think that there is a fault in the list. There are more blind people in the kingdom than it is listed. In fact, there are more blind people than normal sighted people.” The Emperor was taken aback by Birbal’s claim. Akbar asked him to prove his point and make a new list.
The same evening, Birbal along with his servant went to the busiest passage. He sat there with an old frame of cot. Then, he started weaving it. The servant was standing beside Birbal, holding a sheet of paper and a quill.
A man, who was passing by the path, stopped and observed Birbal. Then he went closer and asked him, “What are you doing?” Birbal did not answer him. He just whispered something in the ear of the servant. The servant wrote down something on the paper.
Other passers-by noticed Birbal weaving the cot at the passage. All of them came and asked him what he was doing. But he uttered no word, just a whisper in the ear of the servant and the latter noted down something. Everyone tried to make guesses, but in vain.
The news of Birbal’s activity had spread like a wildfire in the kingdom. The people, who were busy in other work, left whatever they were doing and especially came there to see Birbal. All of them asked the same question.
The moment people asked such questions, the servant was quick enough to move the quill on the paper.
Finally, the news reached the Emperor. He instantly came to see what his minister was up to. “Birbal, what are you doing? I don’t understand,” said Akbar. This time, Birbal just threw a glance at the servant and his quill started moving on the paper.
Then, Birbal got up and handed the paper over to Akbar. He said, “Your Majesty, here is the list of blind people in your kingdom.”
Akbar was shocked to see his name in the last. On being asked, Birbal explained, “Your Majesty, you are also one of the blind people. Everyone came and asked me what I was doing despite the fact that they could see that I was weaving the cot.”
