Akbar and Birbal shared a close relationship. This made the courtiers jealous of Birbal. One of them said to Akbar, “Your Majesty, why do you listen to Birbal and ignore our suggestions?” Akbar thought he should prove that Birbal was better than the rest. A marriage procession was passing by and Akbar asked the jealous courtier to find out whose marriage it was. Akbar asked Birbal to do the same. The jealous courtier ran fast and reached the marriage procession. He returned with the same speed. Soon, Birbal returned too. Akbar asked the courtier, “Where is the procession headed?” “I don’t know, Your Majesty,” replied the courtier. But Birbal answered, “They are going to Allahabad, Your Majesty.” Akbar turned to the jealous courtier and said, “Being smart requires doing more than what is asked. Now, do you understand why Birbal is my favourite?” The jealous courtier hung his head in shame.
The Marriage Procession
