Although Akbar was an emperor ruling his subjects in his own regime, he had this fantastic adviser in form of Birbal who never failed to keep the emperor on track with his wise advice on every matter.
Once Akbar got concerned about Honesty and Integrity of his subjects and was worried to find it out. Birbal, being the learned and wise one, was very sure about that every person in the kingdom was dishonest in some way to somebody at some time and it was as difficult to find a totally honest and completely loyal person as looking for a needle in the heap of hay.
But he was also wise enough to know that the King will not take his word and will need some experimental hypothesis he can rely on, so Birbal devised an Honesty Test for his people.
The test, technically very simple, demanded every citizen of the territory to offer a pot of milk for a public meal and he or she should pour this pot of milk on the midnight of no-moon night in a huge tank placed at center of the town under the banyan tree !
Everybody thought ‘cleverly’ and upon pondering on some facts that could be used to own benefit, decided to put a pot of water instead of milk.
‘Firstly it is a huge tank, secondly it would be no-moon night and finally, everybody else is going to pour the milk… who could possibly find out that I had poured water…!’
Every other person thought of this conspiracy ending up with a huge tank full of water…
In the morning when Akbar turned up to find out the result of the honesty test with Birbal, he was devastated to watch the outcome. Birbal, who already has proved his point as always, wanted to add the morale to the experiment and with a grieving smile on his face, said to the Emperor…
“Maharaj, had even a few people of all this humongous population decided to be completely honest and follow the command religiously, the liquid could have gotten at least the color of the milk, let alone the smell and taste…!’
On the final day of the passing year, can we take some lesson and decide 'otherwise' for a change…!?!
Have an eventful evening, great New Year and Wonderful Life… Stay tuned and Be aware…!
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