Page 18 - English_Spark_4

with a thousand gold coins,’’ he said to Birbal. Birbal bowed before the

Emperor and left the place to search for such a person.

Birbal searched far and wide until he found a poor man. The poor man
was desperate to earn some money. He readily accepted the challenge. At

night, he entered the lake. Akbar told his guards to make sure that he did

as promised.

The next morning the guards took the poor man to Akbar.
Akbar said to the poor man, ‘‘Did you indeed spend the night in the lake?’’

The poor man replied, ‘‘Yes, Your Majesty.’’

Akbar asked the poor man, ‘‘But how did you manage to do that? The water
of the lake is bitter cold.’’

The poor man said, ‘‘There was a street lamp nearby. I kept my attention

fixed on the lamp so that I do not feel cold.’’
Akbar said, ‘‘Oh! Then there is no reward for you as you have survived the

night in the lake with the help of the warmth of the street lamp.’’

Akbar ordered the poor man to go away. The poor man was shocked. He
went to Birbal for help and told him everything.

The next day, Birbal did not go to court. Akbar wondered why Birbal had

not come as he came to the court every day. He asked his courtiers, ‘‘Is
Birbal sick? Why has he not come to the court today?’’ The courtiers did not

know. So Akbar sent a messenger to Birbal’s home to check. The messenger

came back saying that Birbal was cooking khichri. He would come once the

khichri is cooked. Akbar waited for many hours but Birbal did not come.
Finally, Akbar decided to go to Birbal’s house and see what he was up to.

On reaching Birbal’s house, Akbar saw that Birbal was sitting on the floor

near some burning twigs and a bowl filled with khichri was hanging five feet

above the fire. Emperor Akbar and his attendants could not stop laughing,
looking at this scene.

desperate — a feeling of hopelessness, reward — a gift given in recognition
of service, effort, or achievement, courtiers — attendants in a king’s palace.

18 English-4