Birbal’s intelligence never ceased to surprise the Emperor of Agra, Akbar. So, the Emperor used to give Birbal interesting tasks as he wanted to see how he would finish them with his wit.
Once, Birbal was asked by Akbar to search four fools in the kingdom and summon them in front him. At first, Birbal was confused, but later felt amused. He said, “Your Majesty, I’ll do as you say. However, I need a few days᾿ time as the world is no short of foolish people. Thus, I want to present the best of them before you.”
Akbar agreed to Birbal’s request. As usual, Birbal set out to fulfil the wish of his Emperor. While he was strolling in the palace to look for the first fool, he saw a man carrying a plate full of things, such as sweets, fruits, etc. Birbal filled with curiosity asked the man for whom he was taking all those things.
The man said, “My wife left me for another man, and now she is blessed with a baby-boy. I am taking all these things for her.”
The very next moment, Birbal thought that he had got the first fool. So, he asked him to come before the Emperor, the next morning. The man agreed to come.
Then, Birbal moved ahead in search of the second fool. This time, he had got out of the palace. Far in the fields he saw a man trying to ride a buffalo while carrying a bundle of grass on his head. He approached the man and asked, “Hey man, I saw you clumsily riding the buffalo. What is the matter? Why don’t you tie the bundle of grass at her back?”
The man in a very concerned tone replied, “Sir, the matter is that my buffalo is pregnant. And it would be very insensitive of me if I dumped the bundle at her back. That is why I am carrying it.”
The reply was enough for Birbal to decide the second fool. So, like the first one, he told this man to reach the court, the next morning. The man nodded in agreement and left.
The next day, Birbal presented both the fools before the Emperor. Akbar listened to their stories and gave out a hearty laugh. Then, he asked Birbal where the rest two were.
Birbal replied, “With no offence, Your Majesty, the third fool is you as you directed me to do such a task of looking for fools and the fourth one is I, for acting on your directions.” At Birbal᾿s answer, Akbar couldn’t help laughing and appreciate his minister’s ready hit.
