A Wise Counting
Let us enjoy reading this story of A Wise Counting.
Emperor Akbar was in the habit of putting riddles and
puzzles to his courtiers. He often asked questions which were strange and
witty. It took much wisdom to answer these questions.
Once he asked a very strange question. The courtiers
were dumb folded by his question.
Akbar glanced at his courtiers. As he looked, one by
one the heads began to hang low in search of an answer. It was at this moment
that Birbal entered the courtyard. Birbal who knew the nature of the emperor quickly
grasped the situation and asked, "May I know the question so that I can
try for an answer".
Akbar said, "How many crows are there in this
city?"
Without even a moment's thought, Birbal replied
"There are fifty thousand five hundred and eighty nine crows, my
lord".
"How can you be so sure?" asked Akbar.
Birbal said, "Make you men count, My lord. If you
find more crows it means some have come to visit their relatives here. If you
find less number of crows it means some have gone to visit their relatives
elsewhere".
Akbar was pleased very much by Birbal's wit.
Moral:- A witty answer will serve its
purpose.