THE THANKFUL AND THE UNTHANKFUL | Akbar & Birbal | HELLO CHUNMUN

 

6.          THE THANKFUL AND THE UNTHANKFUL


Akbar commands Birbal to bring two animals—one thankful, one unthankful. Birbal later presents a dog and his son-in-law in court.
A tale of wit, loyalty, and a twist that saves the day.


Once upon a time, the Emperor asked Birbal to bring him two animals one of whom might be thankful and the other unthankful. Birbal stressed his brains, but could not find his way through the mesh. Seeing this Akbar got wild with Birbal and ordered that if he did not carry out his command by the end of the next day, he would be condemned to death.


Emperor Akbar sternly commands Birbal to bring two animals—one thankful, one unthankful—as courtiers watch in suspense.

Akbar’s unusual challenge leaves Birbal puzzled. The court buzzes with tension and hidden delight.


All courtiers could understand the gravity of the situation. At the same time Birbal’s enemies were delighted at the prospect of his looming death. The court dispersed in an atmosphere of wild excitement.

Birbal went home and lay on a couch not knowing what to do. His smart daughter could read apprehension on his face and wished to know what made him so thoughtful. Birbal told her everything and hung down his head, upon which the smart girl answered, “for God's sake don't worry about it. It’s just a child's play. I'll point out the way to you tomorrow morning.”


Birbal reclines anxiously on a couch while his daughter stands beside him, calm and confident, offering a clever solution.
Birbal’s daughter offers a playful yet brilliant idea, turning despair into hope.

The encouraging words of his daughter set his anxiety at naught, for he knew of the rare intellectual gifts of his daughter.

The next day when he was ready to go to the royal court, his daughter requested him to take with him his son-in-law and his dog. This was enough to kindle his intelligence. So he went into the presence of the Emperor with his son-in-law and the dog. 


Birbal presents a dog and his son-in-law in court. The dog sits calmly while the son-in-law looks smug. Akbar and the courtiers react with surprise.

Birbal’s clever choice stuns the court. Gratitude and greed stand side by side.


All the courtiers held their breath. They thought that he had lost his wits. The Emperor got excited at the presence of a dog in the court. He then asked, “If he had brought the two animals he had asked for?”

Birbal made a deep salutation to him and replied with perfect composure, “Here are the two animals, Your Majesty you asked for."

Akbar shouted, “These animals! Are you so disrespectful as to cut a joke even at my expense?”

 Birbal humbly replied, “May it please you Your Majesty, I am not joking, I mean business. Please lend me your ears. One of the two animals is my son-in-law. Shower the choicest gifts on him, yet his greed is insatiable and he will never feel grateful. This dog on the other hand, is incarnated with gratitude. He will stand by his master through storm and through sunshine. He will follow his master's voice and will not desert him, let heavens fall.” 

Akbar was satisfied with Birbal's explanation and at the same time ordered to behead the son—in-law, as he did not want unthankful souls in his province. 


Akbar raises his hand to order the son-in-law’s execution. Birbal interrupts with calm wit, and the court begins to laugh.

Birbal’s last-minute remark turns judgment into laughter. Akbar rewards wit over wrath.


The hangman was about to execute the royal order when Birbal cried out, “You’re Majesty. This order applies to all of us alike. We all are also sons-in-law of some persons."

The Emperor heartily enjoyed this fun and gave a handsome reward to Birbal for his witty reply.


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