A Pitcher of Wisdom
Once, an ambassador of a neighbouring country visited the court of Akbar and said, “Sir, we have heard that there are too many wise and witty people in your court. So our King has sent me to fetch a pitcher full of wisdom from here. I expect you to fulfill our king’s wish soon.”
Akbar was puzzled to hear this. He thought what a senseless wish was this. How can one procure a pitcher full of wisdom? Finding no way out, he sent for Birbal, the wisest of his gems.
Birbal having heard the entire thing, slightly chuckled and said, “Do not worry, Your Majesty, I will fulfill their demand, I just need few weeks time.” Akbar granted him this.
Birbal asked a servant to get a pitcher. Then he took the pitcher to a pumpkin creeper and placed it inverted over the pumpkin flower.
Birbal then went to the ambassador and said, “Sir, we just need two weeks time. I assure you, the wisdom will reach the brim of the pitcher within a fortnight.”
After fifteen days, Birbal stopped his experiment and found that the pumpkin had got completely stuck inside the pitcher.
He took the pitcher to the ambassador and gifting it to him, said, “Sir, here is your pitcher full of wisdom. You please take the fruit of wisdom out of it without causing it any harm and return us our pot.” The ambassador closely inspected the fruit of wisdom and feeling embarrassed left for his country.
King Akbar, seeing the gesture of the ambassador, said to Birbal, “Show me the fruit of wisdom, Birbal. I want to see what is there in the fruit that made the ambassador leave without uttering a single word.”
At this, Birbal handed the pitcher to Akbar. The King found a pumpkin stuck inside it. He could not help laughing and praising his wisest gem heartily.
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