Birbal Stories: Birbal The Child

Birbal arrived late for a function and the emperor was displeased¹.

 

"My child was crying and I had to placate² him," explained the courtier.

 

"Does it take so long to calm down a child?" asked the emperor. "It appears you know nothing about child rearing³. Now you pretend to be a child and I shall act as your father and I will show you how you should have dealt with your child. Go on. Ask me for whatever he asked of you."

 

"I want a cow," said Birbal.

 

Akbar ordered a cow to be brought to the palace.

 

"I want its milk. I want its milk," said Birbal, imitating the voice of a small child.

 

"Milk the cow and give to him," said Akbar to his servants.

 

The cow was milked and the milk was offered to Birbal. He drank a little and then handed the bowl back to Akbar.

 

"Now put the rest of it back into the cow, put it back, put in back, put it back..." wailed⁴ Birbal.

 

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