THE CLEVER MINISTER,BIRBAL
Emperor Akbar used to test ministers :
The great Emperor Akbar was a very wise person. He depended on his ministers only to that extent to which were able to think. So he used to assess their thinking powers time to time. In his tests, Birbal turned out to be the best and is remembered for his intelligence. Other ministers of Akbar were jealous of him.
"Somebody pulled my beard today" :
One day the Emperor said to the ministers, "Today somebody has pulled my beard. Tell me what punishment should be given to the culprit?"
The ministers were in a state of shock. "Who dare to pull the Emperor's beard? He deserves the severest punishments! they all said in chorus.
Death penalty :
They discussed the issue together, isolating Birbal, who sat at one corner watching their deliberations. After a while, one of these ministers rose and said, "Sir, we have reached a consensus that the culprit must be trampled to death by elephant."
Now Akbar turned to Birbal, who was sitting and smiling all along in a corner, and asked about his opinion.
Birbal says -"Hugs and kisses" :
Everybody waited to see the Emperor's reactions! They could not believe when Birbal said, "Jahanpanah, the guilty deserves a lot of hugs and kisses."
All roared in chorus, "Sir, Birbal has gone mad."
But the patient emperor asked, " Birbal, who do you think has pulled my beard?"
"It must be the prince" - Birbal says :
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| BIRBAL, THE WISE MINISTER |
Birbal replied "Without our knowledge, none other than the little prince could come near you and pull your beard. He must have done it playfully! How can he be punished?"
Birbal was right. Akbar was greatly impressed with Birbal's wisdom and the rest of the courtiers were ashamed of their suggestions.
MORAL OF THE STORY
Never jump to conclusions in a hurry. Think carefully before you take a decision.
In studies:
In exams never attempts a questions in a hurry. Think a bit before writing the answer.
First of all select the short-answer type and answer the questions that take minimal time. For this you have to think for while and compare the questions for their answers. Always starts with the easier ones and those that demand the less time.