One morning, Akbar looked into the mirror. Suddenly, he called his servant and said, “Go and call him now.” The obedient servant rushed out but soon realised that he didn’t know who he was supposed to call. But he was terrified of asking Akbar lest the emperor should be furious. So he went to Birbal instead and narrated his plight. Birbal asked the servant, “What was the emperor doing when he called you?” The servant said, “He was looking into the mirror.” Birbal said, “It means the emperor noticed that his hair had grown long. He wanted to see the barber.” After the servant had left, Akbar realised that he had not told the servant whom to call. Soon, the servant entered his room with the barber. Akbar was surprised. He asked, “How did you know I wanted to see the barber?” The servant replied, “Birbal told me, Your Majesty.” Akbar admired Birbal’s wisdom.
The Servant’s Plight
