Birbal’s Khichdi

O

ne cold winter morning, Emperor Akbar and Birbal were walking along the palace garden. The air was chilly, and the lake nearby had a thin layer of ice.

Akbar said, “Birbal, I don’t believe that anyone can stay in this freezing water all night long. It’s impossible!”

Birbal replied with a smile, “Your Majesty, I know someone who can.”

Akbar was curious. “Really? Prove it!”

Birbal called a poor man named Ram. The emperor told him, “If you can stand in that cold lake all night, I will reward you with a thousand gold coins.”

Ram agreed. That night, he stood shivering in the freezing lake, staring at a distant lamp burning in the palace tower to keep himself motivated. Somehow, he survived till morning.

When he came to the court the next day, Akbar asked, “How did you manage to stay in the cold water all night?”

Ram said, “Your Majesty, I looked at the warm light from your palace tower. It gave me hope and strength.”

Akbar frowned. “Ah! So you got warmth from that lamp! Then you cheated. You won’t get the reward.”

Ram felt sad and went away.

Birbal said nothing. The next day, he invited the emperor and his courtiers to his house for a feast. Everyone came . but there was no food ready. Instead, Birbal had placed a pot hanging high above a small candle.

Akbar asked angrily, “Birbal! How will the food cook with that tiny candle so far away?”

Birbal smiled, “If a man can get warmth from a lamp far away, surely rice can cook from a candle far below!”

Akbar realized his mistake and laughed heartily. “Birbal, you’ve opened my eyes again. Call that poor man and give him his reward immediately!”

Moral:

True effort and determination should always be rewarded.