Let us enjoy reading this story of A Wise Counting. <>
Emperor Akbar was in the habit of putting riddles and puzzles to his courtiers.<>
He often asked questions which were strange and witty. <>
It took much wisdom to answer these questions.<>
Once he asked a very strange question. <>
The courtiers were dumb folded by his question.<>
Akbar glanced at his courtiers. As he looked, one by one the heads began to hang low in search of an answer.<>
It was at this moment that Birbal entered the courtyard. <>
Birbal who knew the nature of the emperor quickly grasped the situation and asked, “May I know the question so that I can try for an answer”.<>
Akbar said, “How many crows are there in this city?”<>
Without even a moment’s thought, Birbal replied “There are fifty thousand five hundred and eighty nine crows, my lord”.<>
“How can you be so sure?” asked Akbar.<>
Birbal said, “Make you men count, My lord. If you find more crows it means some have come to visit their relatives here.<>
If you find less number of crows it means some have gone to visit their relatives elsewhere”.<>
Akbar was pleased very much by Birbal’s wit.<>
MORAL : A witty answer will serve its purpose.<>
