Akbar Birbal Story - Part 20
Once Akbar went deep into the woods, with his companions, hunting wild animals but with no luck. Tired and thirsty, they decided to visit the nearby village and met a young local boy named Mahesh Das who readily agreed to help them.
The boy had no idea who Akbar was, so he cross-questioned him when Akbar asked the little boy what his name was. Seeing his confidence and cleverness, Akbar gave him a ring and asked him to meet him when he grows up. Later the boy realized that it was a royal ring and he had just met Emperor Akbar.
After few years, when Mahesh Das grew up, he decided to visit Akbar’s court. He was standing in a corner in the court when Akbar asked his noblemen which flower they think is the most beautiful flower on earth. Some answered rose, some lotus, some jasmine but Mahesh Das suggested that in his opinion it is the cotton flower. The entire court started laughing as cotton flowers are odorless. Mahesh Das then explained how useful cotton flowers are as the cotton grown from this flower is used to make clothes for people in summers as well as in winters.
Akbar was impressed with the answer. Mahesh Das then introduced himself and showed the Emperor the ring he had given years ago. Akbar happily appointed him as one of the noblemen in his court and Mahesh Das came to be known as Birbal.
