Several courtiers
were vying to be the Royal Advisor of Emperor Akbar. So one day, when they came
to the court, they said to the Emperor, "We want to be your Royal
Advisor." Akbar said, "No problem, but you will have to pass the test
before you could be my Royal Advisor. And whoever would pass the test will be
appointed my Advisor." They agreed.
The King unfastened
his waist cloth and lay down on the floor, and asked the candidates to cover
him with that cloth from head to toe. Now everybody tried to cover him, but in
vain. If one wanted to cover the head, then feet remained uncovered, or if the
feet were covered, then his head remained open.
Just then Birbal
entered the court, the king asked Birbal also, if he could cover him with that
cloth from head to toe. Birbal paused a moment, then asked the Emperor
politely, "Huzoor, Could you pull up your knees a little bit?" The
King did so, and Birbal could cover him from head to toe with that cloth.
Realizing that they
failed the test, the courtiers left the court quietly and then they never
thought about being the King's Advisor.
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