My young friend Koushik reminded me of this story by comparing India’s GDP figures to the Agra Crows. May he keep inspiring me with such ideas in future too.
Akbar was a great Mughal Emperor and Birbal was his witty minister. One day, Akbar was taking a walk in his garden with Birbal.
Many crows were flying around. As he observed the birds flying, he thought of asking Birbal a tricky question.
He asked, “How many crows are there in our kingdom, Birbal?”
Birbal thought for a moment, and then said, “There are ninety-five thousand, four hundred and sixty three crows in your kingdom, Huzoor.”
“How do you know that for sure?” the King asked.
“You can get them counted, Huzoor.” Birbal said.
The Emperor again said, “If there are less than that, then?”
Birbal replied immediately, “That means that the rest of them have gone on vacation to some neighbouring kingdoms.”
“And if there are more than that, then?” asked Akbar.
“Then it means that other crows have come to visit their relatives in our kingdom, Huzoor,” said the witty minister.
Akbar was very pleased with the answer that Birbal gave and gave him a suitable reward.
Moral: Even if the question is silly, you can manage the situation by thinking on your feet and giving a witty answer.
The best kind of leadership we can hope for at the moment!
Looney recently posted..Googling Dirversity
Looney that reminds of a post that I need to write about crows and their intelligence.
I love your stories, Rummuser, and especially when they have a moral!
Thank you. I will try and come up with more.
🙂
Cute story.
shackman recently posted..Future Shock
Thank you.
That’s what I call fast thinking on your feet — novel example. But, ah….yes …. we must always have an answer because, “I don’t know, but I’ll find out” is almost as unacceptable as a simple “I don’t know.”
Joared recently posted..CALMING UNSETTLING TIMES
I don’t know!
you are fetching up some super stories…many of them metaphors…thanks
Thank you.
Getting caught up with you. No surprises on your personality test. At all.
Love that you have a new identity as Chutki’s grandfather, quite a promotion.
And this story is so symptomatic of our slimy politicians here.
XO
WWW
wisewebwoman recently posted..Lurch
Glib talking politicos abound here too. One particular one with a very distinguished pedigree is also famous for bloopers! I enjoy the passing show!