Birbal's Magic Trick
Emperor Akbar and Birbal's closeness made the
other courtiers jealous. They were always looking up for ways to bring disrepute to his character. But they never succeeded.
One day, the jealous courtiers in Akbar's royal court
plotted against Birbal. They cooked up a story and went to the Emperor.
One of them said, “Your Majesty, Birbal is not doing
his work properly. He is busy learning magic tricks
and fortune telling."
Akbar called Birbal and said, "I hear you have learnt
magic. Can you find my missing ring?"
Birbal realised that the other courtiers were laying a
trap for him. So he played along, "Your Majesty, I know of a magic trick that will make your missing ring reach your finger on its own."
“Really Birbal, let us see it," said Akbar with interest.
The courtiers looked at each other puzzled.
They had made up a story about Birbal learning magic tricks. But here he was about to showcase his skills.
Birbal chanted a few magic mantras throwing rice
grains in the air. "By the time all the rice grains fall down, the ring will reach you, Your Majesty!"
Akbar had actually given the ring to a courtier to hide it in his pocket. The courtier feared he would lose the ring to Birbal's magic, so, he put his hand in his pocket and held the ring tight. He thought it would fly!
Birbal noticed the courtier's nervous behaviour. He, at once pointed at him and said, "Your Majesty, your missing ring is now in his pocket! You can take it from there."
Akbar saw how Birbal had outwitted the courtiers
again. Pleased, the king gifted Birbal the ring .
Disappointed with yet another of their
plans biting the dust, the group of jealous
courtiers left the royal court sadly.
