What The Sun And Moon Can’t Do
Akbar’s court was famous for witty question-answer sessions. On one such occasion.
Akbar: O great men, who are assembled here, can you tell the difference between truth and falsehood in less than three words.
All the courtiers were in deep thought trying to figure out how to tell the difference between truth and falsehood. But despite the lapse of quite some time they were not able to do so.
Akbar: What about you, Birbal?
Birbal: Your majesty, four fingers.
The King was surprised.
Akbar: How, Birbal?
Birbal: Yes your majesty, this is the difference between, truth and false. Because what your eyes see is truth and what your ears hear, more often than not, may be false.
Akbar: That is right, but then why do you say four fingers?
Birbal: Because your majesty, the width of your fingers is the distance between the ears and the eyes.
Akbar was astonished at this replay.
Akbar: Wow, brilliant. Now the second question.
Akbar drew a line on the floor.
Akbar: Dear man, can you shorten this line without touching it?
The courtiers were not equal to the task.
Akbar: Birbal, can you do it?
Birbal came forward and drew another longer line beside it. Now the kings line was shorter than Birbal’s.
Akbar: Excellent, Now another question. My dear courtiers, please answer it.
Courtiers: Yes my lord.
Akbar: What is that which the sun and moon cannot see but others can.
As usual his courtiers were clueless.
Akbar: Birbal, any answer from your side?
Birbal: Darkness, My lord.
Akbar: Beautiful, because if the sun and the moon try to see darkness, there will no darkness indeed.
Akbar hugs Birbal for his intelligent response.
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