Birbal sits on Akbar's throne

       Emperor Akbar had several ministers in his royal court. Birbal was one of  them. Akbar linked and respected Birbal the most as he admired Birbal's wit and wisdom. He also appreciated Birbal's deep knowledge of human nature.
     
              No wonder Birbal was the only courtier who was allowed to crack jokes even at the expense of the Emperor. Of course, Birbal was wise and shrewd enough to know his limits. So never offended the Emperor.
               One day Birbal said to himself, "I wish to sit on the Emperor's throne once, just to see what it is like." So he strode into the royal hall where the throne was kept. He looked around and checked that nobody was nearby. Then he walked up to the Emperor's throne and sat on it.
              Just then another minister happened to pass by the door of the royal hall. He happened to peep in and was shocked to see Birbal sitting prettily on the throne. The minister's anger knew no bounds.
              "Birbal has no business to sit on the throne," he said to himself. "Let me first teach him a lesson. Then I will report the matter to the Emperor."
              He walked up to the throne and caught hold of Birbal. He tried to pull Birbal from the throne, but Birbal remained glued to his seat. Now the minister was furious. He pounced on Birbal and rained blows upon blows on him. Birbal, unable to bear the pain, began shouting for help.
              So loud was the noise that the Emperor himself came running in to see what the uproar was all about.
              "What is all this noise about?" Akbar wanted to know.
              "Please, your Majesty," said the minister in an apologetic voice. "This time Birbal, has gone rather too far, sir. He has actually sat on your sacred throne! This is the height of arrogance and stupidity. This is simply intolerable! He must be punished immediately for challenging your authority," he said in an agitated voice.
                The Emperor turned to Birbal and said, "Why did you sit on my throne, Birbal? Would you like to say anything in defence of your deed?"
                 "Your Majesty," replied Birbal, "I meant no disrespect to you by doing so. You know that i have a greatest love and respect for you. I am too small and humble a man to challenge the mighty Akbar. If anything is to be blamed, it is my idle curiosity. I just wanted to see hoe it would feel to sit on your throne."
                 "Well," interrupted Akbar, "How did it feel?"
                 "Your Highness, I sat there only for a few minutes but I realised what it is really like!" he replied. He pointed to the bruises he had suffered all over his body in the scuffle with the minister, and said ,"I have suffered enough for it. You, sir, suffering day in and day out."
                  The Emperor was delighted with Birbal's clever reply. He patted Birbal on his back for his witty as well as wise answer. But the poor minister who had attacked Birbal and complained against him could not hide his sense of shame. He slipped away quietly, unnoticed by both Akbar and Birbal.

The musical donkey

       

      There was once a dhobi (washerman) who lived in a small village. He had a donkey to help him carry cloths to the tank for washing everyday. The donkey was weak and lean. The dhobi could not afford to feed him well. Yet he made the donkey  carry heavy loads of clothes everyday. However, at night, the donkey was given full freedom by his owner and was allowed to go out and roam about at his own sweet will.
                             One evening, the donkey met a jackal. They became good friends and wandered together in search of food and fun. Once they strayed into a farm full of ripe and tasty cucumbers. They entered the farm and ate as much as they could. In the darkness of the night, nobody noticed them.
                              Their success on the first night made them bolder. Now the two began to visit the farm every night. Both ate to their hearts' content. But the donkey always had a heavier dinner. He soon became stout and fat.
                              "Oh, please don't sing, uncle," said the jackal. "For God's sake, please don't. The farmers will hear you. They will rush out of their homes, catch us and beat us." We are thieves here. Why don't you realise this?"
                           

  But the donkey was in no mood to listen to the jackal's advice. "You are jealous of my melodious voice," he said. "But a petty-minded fellow like you can't stop me. I shall do as I please." So saying, he started to sing at the top of his voice. This frightened the jackal who fled from the scene at once.
                              The farmers heard the loud braying of the donkey. They soon came out of their houses and rushed to the farm, armed with heavy sticks and iron rods. The donkey was still 'singing' to glory when they reached there. They caught the donkey and beat him black and blue. The poor donkey collapsed in the field. Then the farmers left the place.

                              The donkey was badly bruised and shaken. He dragged himself out of the farm with great difficulty. The jackal was waiting for him outside the gate of the field.
                              "Congratulations, uncle!" he said to the donkey. "Even the farmers love your music."
                              "Don't tease me, nephew," said the donkey. "I have been punished for not listening to you!"