One sunny morning, Emperor Akbar and Birbal were walking in the palace garden. Many crows were cawing in the trees. Akbar had a funny idea. “Birbal,” he asked, “how many crows are there in our kingdom?”
The courtiers smiled. Surely no one could answer such a question! But Birbal thought for a moment and said, “There are ninety-five thousand, four hundred and sixty-three crows in our kingdom, Your Majesty.”
Akbar was surprised. “How can you be so sure?” he asked. “What if there are more?” “Then some crows from other kingdoms are visiting their relatives here,” said Birbal.
“And what if there are fewer?” asked Akbar. “Then some of our crows have gone to visit their relatives in other kingdoms,” replied Birbal with a smile.
Akbar laughed loudly, and the whole court laughed with him. He gave Birbal a gift for his quick wit.
Moral of the story
A quick mind can find an answer even to an impossible question.
New words
- emperor
- a king who rules a large empire
- kingdom
- a country ruled by a king or emperor
- courtiers
- people who attend the king at his court
- relatives
- members of your family
- wit
- the ability to say clever and funny things quickly
- impossible
- that cannot be done
Questions and answers
- Where were Akbar and Birbal walking?
Show answer
They were walking in the palace garden.
- What question did Akbar ask Birbal?
Show answer
He asked how many crows there were in the kingdom.
- What number did Birbal give?
Show answer
He said there were ninety-five thousand, four hundred and sixty-three crows.
- How did Birbal explain it if there were more crows?
Show answer
He said that crows from other kingdoms were visiting their relatives.
- How did he explain it if there were fewer crows?
Show answer
He said that some crows had gone to visit their relatives in other kingdoms.
- Why did Akbar give Birbal a gift?
Show answer
He gave Birbal a gift for his quick wit.
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