The intelligent Offender

One day Emperor Akbar was in a mood for some amusement. All the courtiers in his durbar rose up and bowed to the Emperor as he arrived and set on his throne. After the Emperor sat on his throne, he questioned in a firm voice, “What punishment should we give to a person who dares to pull our beard?

Hearing this strange question from the emperor, all the courtiers and ministers were surprized and confused. The courtiers whispered among themselves that who would dare to do such mindless thing. They murmured that it would be terrible crime to pull Emperor’s beard.

The Emperor demanded for the answer looking one of the ministers. “Cut off his hands, my majesty, for this dreadful act,” said the minister in an unsteady voice. “Why only hands Huzoor? “Emperor could order to cut off his hands and head both, aid another. “Throw him out from the kingdom!” Chrow him off from a steep mountain”, came some the responses. As the ministers wanted to flatter and please the Emperor, different suggestions were passed in the durbar. However, Emperor was not at 11 pleased with any of the suggestions.

Emperor turned his most trusted and favourite minister, Birbal. The Emperor wanted to challenge Birbal. Akbar said, “What is your opinion, Birbal? What punishment must I give to a person who dares to touch my beard?” At once, Birbal answered, `Huzoor, give him the best sweets to eat.” Emperor was little annoyed to hear Birbal’s reply and demanded for an explanation.

All present in the court were surprised. How could Birbal come up with a thoughtless and so rude answer! Some of the jealous ministers and other courtiers felt that today the Emperor would surely get angry or punish Birbal. Birbal further said, “No one else in the world would dare to touch your bear, Huzoor, except your little granddaughter.”

The Emperor was pleased with the reply of Birbal. Akbar explained to the courtiers what had happened last night. His two-year-old granddaughter had climbed on the Emperor’s lap, and had played with his beard. This had aroused the Emperor to put such a question to his ministers and courtiers.