Birbal and the royal barber
Because of his intelligence, Birbal was the favorite advisor of the emperor Akbar. Some of the other ministers were jealous of him and often tried to pull his legs but failed. The royal barber was equally close to the emperor and he used to come still closer at the time of his daily shaving work. He too was jealous of Birbal. He cleverly used to speak ill of others while shaving the emperor. Perhaps for fear of his blade, the emperor used to listen to him patiently.
One day while shaving, the barber asked the emperor, ‘Your majesty, have you ever thought of your ancestors who have gone to heaven?’ The question surprised the emperor. He asked, “What do you mean? Please clarify in detail.’ The barber tactfully said, “Your majesty, it is our duty to look after our ancestors. Unless we know their condition, how can we help them.’ The King was surprised all the more and inquisitively asked how can we look after those who have gone to heaven?’ The barber shrewdly said, Sire, Birbal has the remedy for all the problems. The way the other people go to heaven, Birbal can also pay a visit to find out the condition of our ancestors. Akbar nodded and called for Birbal at once.
Birbal commanded the emperor, “I want you to go to heaven to find out the condition of our ancestors. Birbal surprisingly looked at both of them, and asked, how is it possible your majesty!’ The barber wasted no time and added, ‘the way everybody goes, i.e. through fire.’ and started smiling. Birbal understood the conspiracy in the mind of the barber. So, to gain time and to find a solution to the problem, he said, your majesty, it is a long journey, please give me some time to make arrangements for the journey.’ The emperor agreed and said, ‘You may take about a month’s time.’
Birbal started thinking about the whole problem and wanted to give a befitting reply to the barber. He chose a suitable place from where he was to go to heaven through fire. He made a pyre there and just in the center of the pyre, he had got a secret passage dug for escape. The passage led to the inner chamber of his house. When the pyre was ready before everyone Birbal sat in the center and the pyre was lit. It was so smoky that no one noticed that when Birbal had slipped through the secret passage and gone to his inner chamber. Seeing the high flames, all thought that with the cleverness of the Barbar, they had gotten rid of Birbal. The royal barber was very happy and smiling inwardly.
Birbal remained in his inner chamber hidden for several weeks. During that period, he did not shave and was in a very dilapidated condition; one day he appeared before the emperor. Emperor Akbar was very pleased to see him. He at once enquired about the welfare of his ancestors. Birbal seriously replied, your majesty, everyone is alright. They have no problem in heaven. The only difficulty they have there is that there is no one to look after their beards. They all have become shabby like me. They immediately need the help of an excellent barber.
Akbar at once called for the royal barber and told him that he had to go to heaven to set right the beards of his ancestors. The barber understood that Birbal had defeated him. But since it was all his plan initially, he could not say ‘no’.
_
_
Illustration by Manan Ahuja