One day, Akbar and Birbal were walking in the royal garden, discussing an important issue. Just then, Akbar said, “See, how lazy that servant is! He has been resting under the tree since the time we came here. I will throw him out!” Birbal said, “Please have patience, Your Majesty. I shall turn him into a hard-working person.” Akbar agreed. Birbal walked to the resting servant and said something. The servant got up and started watering the plants. That day onwards, Akbar never saw the servant resting. Many days later, Akbar asked Birbal, “What did you tell that lazy servant? He works so hard nowadays!” Birbal said, “Your Majesty, I told him that you had asked me to promote hard-working servants to the post of royal guards. He is always working hard, as he wants to get promoted first. Akbar laughed and said, “Birbal, you are indeed intelligent!”
The Lazy Servant
