Akbar’s Dream
Emperor Akbar believed in dreams. if he had a dream, he would immediately call his astrologers for consultation. One day, he dreamed that all his teeth except one had fallen. In the morning, He invited his astrologer Fahim.
Fahim: Greetings, your majesty.
Akbar: Fahim, I had a strange dream yesterday.
Fahim: What was your dream, you majesty?
Akbar: I dreamt that I was toothless except for one single tooth.
Fahim’s expression changed. Akbar was worried.
Akbar: What is the matter, Fahim?
Fahim: Your Majesty, give me a day’s time. I have to consult with other astrologers before discussing this further.
As fahim left, Akbar began to worry more. The next day, Akbar unease had increased. By then the astrologer Fahim entered the court room.
Fahim: Your majesty.
Akbar: Yes Fahim, have you discussed the dream with other astrologers?
Fahim: Your Majesty, this means all of your relatives will die before you and you will be left alone I am sorry to say this to you.
Akbar’s face showed his sorrow.
Akbar: You may go now Fahim.
Fahim was disappointed that he didn’t get any reward but his prediction. On his part, Akbar was concerned about his relatives. He sent the astrologer away without giving him anything. He got restless. The whole day passed, but he could not find peace of mind. Akbar did not attend the court that day.
Birbal comes to the court, but is surprised to find the emperor absent. Akbar used to attend the court even if he was sick. Why was he absent in himself now? Birbal was worried. He goes to meet Akbar in his room in the evening and finds Akbar sad and listless.
Birbal: Your Majesty, I just came to tell you, that I have come late today.
Akbar looked at Birbal.
Akbar: Why are you late?
Birbal: Your Majesty, I caught a thief in my neighbor’s house. That’s why I got delayed.
Akbar: How did you find the thief?
Birbal: A merchant is my neighbor. He has lost some gold. He suspected that the thief was one of his servants. So he came to me and mentioned the incident. I went to his house. Assembled all his servants and asked them about the merchants missing gold. Everybody denied any knowledge of the gold. I gave a stick of equal length to all the servants of the merchant and told them that the stick of the real thief would be longer by two inches the next day. I told all the servants that they should be present the next day with their sticks.
Akbar: Entreating, Birbal go ahead.
Birbal was happy to see the smile on Akbar’s face.
Akbar: What was the purpose of the stick, to beat them?
Birbal: No your majesty, it’s only a trick. All the servants gathered again at the same place the next day. I asked them to show their stakes.
Akbar: What happened??
Birbal: One of the servants had his stick shorter by two inches. He was the thief. I caught him and presented him to the merchant as the thief. The merchant brought back his gold back from him.
Akbar: How do you say that he is the thief?
Birbal: My lord, the thief had already cut his stick short by two inches in the night fearing that his stick will be longer by two inches by morning. But he did not understand that I was bluffing. The other servants were not worried as they had not stolen.
Akbar: Amazing, Birbal.
Birbal was happy to see the Emperor laughing.
Birbal: Your majesty, I am glad now to see you happy I didn’t come here to tell you the story. The court looks dull without you and I wanted to know the reason for your sadness. Akbar likes people’s affectionate nature.
Akbar: Birbal, I had a strange dream. I dreamt that I had lost all my teeth except one. I called Fahim, our astrologer but he said that all my relatives will die before me.
Birbal was laughing.
Akbar: Why do you laugh birbal, This is something that is really worrying me.
Birbal: I am sorry your majesty, may tell you the meaning of your dream?
Akbar: Do you know astrology?
Birbal: Why not, your majesty there are simple things in astrology. This is a very good dream.
Akbar’s face brightens.
Birbal: Your majesty, this means you will live very long and have a life of fulfilment amidst your relatives.
Akbar: Is it so?
Birbal: Yes your honour, falling of teeth means a very long life, everyone knows that.
Akbar: I am happy now, Birbal.
Akbar was very pleased and rewarded Birbal handsomely. Birbal, on his part was very happy to see the smile back on the emperor’s face. One day emperor Akbar and Birbal were taking a walk in the palace gardens. It was a nice summer morning and there were many crews happily playing around the pond. Akbar decided to test Birbal’s wit. He asked Birbal how many crows there were in his kingdom. After a moment’s thought Birbal replied.
Birbal: There are ninety five thousand four hundred and sixty three crows.
Amazed by his quick response, Akbar asked,
Akbar: What if there are more?
Without hesitating Birbal replied,
Babar: If there are more crows, then some are visiting from the other neighboring kingdoms.
Akbar: And what if there are less crows?
Birbal: Then some crows from our kingdom would have gone on a holiday to other places.
Such was Birbal’s presence of mind and intelligence. Although Birbal was well loved by emperor Akbar and the common people because of his wit and love of justice. Jealous courtiers at Akbar’s court continuously plotted his downfall without success.
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