The List of Fools

Sat July 16, 2011 by Kunal Bansal

The Emperor was very fond of tall, handsome and agile horses. Once a merchant from Arabia came to sell his horses. He displayed a few very impressive horses to the king. The Emperor liked those horses and ordered for a good number of similar horses. He gave two lakh gold coins as an advance to the merchant. The man was a fraud. He disappeared with the money and did not return for a long time. Time passed. One day a unique whim struck Akbar?s psyche. He said to Birbal affirmed and promised to bring the list after sometime. After a week, Birbal called on the Emperor with a long list of fools and presented the paper to the Emperor. Akbar was happy that Birbal had accomplished his job in a very little time. However, when he gazed on the paper, he was raged to read his own name on the top of it. ?What?s this Birbal?? the Emperor roared. ?How dare you put my name in this category?? ?I beg your pardon. Huzoor! You?re a justice loving person. Please judge your act regarding giving the advance to a stranger and then tell me, shouldn?t I keep you in this list?? asked Birbal with folded hands. The Emperor calmed down little and argued, ?Birbal, assume that the man comes with the horses. Then what will you do?? ?I will immediately remove your name and put his name at your place.? promptly replied Birbal, the wittiest of all!