Once, King Akbar made an announcement that whoever dares to
spend a night in the chilling waters of river Yamuna shall be handsomely rewarded.
Hearing this, a poor washerman called Abdullah offered to stand for the whole
night in the freezing waters of Yamuna.
Next day, Abdulla rushed to the King to get his reward. But
the King questioned him, “What gave you strength to pass the whole night inside
the river?”
Abdullah replied, “Your Highness! Last night I kept gazing at
the earthen lamp lit at the terrace of your castle.”
King Akbar said, “This means that you were able to withstand
the cold because of the heat generated by the lamp. So, you are not eligible
for the reward.”
Abdullah got depressed. He went to Birbal, seeking for help.
Birbal assured to help him.
Next day, Birbal did not attend the court. He asked a servant
to inform the king that he would not come to the court until his “Khichri” is
prepared.
The servant carried out the orders. Akbar felt highly amazed
and confused to hear this. He went to Birbal’s place and found a cooking pot
hanging on the top of a
tripod with fire burning at the floor.
The King expressed his confusion, “Birbal, what nonsense is
this?. Do you think the Khichri in that pot can be prepared with the fire
placed at such a distance?”
“Sure, Your Majesty,” answered Birbal.
“But how?” Akbar asked surprisingly.
“If heat from the lamp at the top of the castle can provide
the warmth to Abdullah to survive the cold, then this “Khichri” will also be
cooked,’ Birbal explained.
The King realized his mistake and ordered his servants to find
Abdullah and suitably reward him.
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