King Akbar sat on his ornate throne, his face thoughtful and contemplative. The courtiers around him whispered to one another, puzzled by the peculiar question posed by their king. The air was thick with anticipation and curiosity as they awaited a solution.
Birbal, the wise and trusted advisor, entered the court with his usual calm demeanor, his eyes scanning the room to assess the mood.
"Ah, Birbal, just the person we need," Akbar exclaimed, a hint of relief in his voice.
Birbal approached the throne, his curiosity piqued. "What seems to be the matter, Your Majesty?" he inquired.
Akbar leaned forward slightly, his eyes fixed on Birbal. "How many crows are there in our city?" he posed, his voice calm yet probing.
A ripple of surprise passed through the court, the ministers exchanging doubtful glances. This was no ordinary problem to solve.
Birbal smiled, stepping forward with an air of assurance. "There are twenty-one thousand, five hundred and twenty-three crows in the city," he declared with a hint of mischief in his eyes.
Akbar raised an eyebrow, intrigued by Birbal’s conviction. "And how can you be so sure?" he asked, a smile playing on his lips.
Birbal explained, "If your men count more, then their relatives must be visiting from nearby cities. If fewer, then our crows must be visiting their kin elsewhere."
Akbar chuckled, thoroughly pleased with the clever answer. "Truly, you never fail to amaze me, Birbal," he said, gesturing for a beautiful ruby and pearl chain to be brought forth.
The courtiers marveled at Birbal's wisdom, their earlier doubts now replaced by respect and admiration.
Birbal lingered for a moment, noticing a peculiar behavior among the crows outside the palace. They seemed to be communicating, their caws rhythmic and purposeful.
He realized the crows carried a hidden message—an allegory of perspective and understanding, teaching that wisdom often transcends mere numbers or facts.
Birbal understood that true wisdom lies not only in finding answers but in perceiving the world with clarity and open-mindedness.
He felt a renewed sense of purpose, grateful for the opportunity to serve Akbar and the kingdom with both insight and integrity. The sound of crows continued to echo, a gentle reminder of the day's profound revelation.
