King Akbar was a wise and just king, who had ruled well for many a year. But he was aging now, and his temper was usually short. So when the Jester told this really funny story about the King's nose, he was furious. He immediately ordered the unfortunate man siezed, and put to death on the next morning!
Akbar's minister was Birbal, who was very clever, and also a good fried of the court jester. When Akbar had cooled down a little, Birbal begged him to reconsider. Akbar was feeling a little sheepish at having overreacted, but he was adamant. The jester had to die.
"But Sire", said Birbal, " He has given you many years of service. Can you not atleast allow him to pick his method of death?!"
"That sounds reasonable", said Akbar.
"Sire, here's what I suggest. Let us ask him to tell us a story tomorrow. If the story is true, he shall be hanged. If it is false, he shall be beheaded"
Akbar thought this was rather an odd kind of choice, but he agreed. After all, the man was going to be put to death one way or the other! Birbal smiled to himself, and went off to convey the news to his friend, the jester.
The next morning, the jester was brought to the court in chains. Akbar greeted him, and asked him if he was ready with his story.
"Yes Sire, I am", he said and told his story.
AND AT THE END OF THE STORY, AKBAR SET HIM FREE!
What story did the jester (with Birbal's help) tell?!
Please try hard before CLICKing here for the answer!
Birbal was wandering through the kingdom in disguise, listening for any gossip that would be of interest to the King. He did this often, which was one of the reasons the kingdom was as calm and peaceful as it was. Everyone was well behaved, because you never knew when the King would come to hear of the mischief that you did ..
Anyway, Birbal heard of this village Ardhasatya where everyone spoke either the truth, or told lies. Not very unusual, you might think. But this village was different: The people who told the truth ALWAYS told the truth; and likewise the people who told lies ALWAYS told lies - but only when the truth was not obvious. For example, if you asked them what color the sky was, both would say blue .. because you could look up and verify the truth yourself. But if you asked them their name, say, some of them would tell you the truth, and some of them lies!
Birbal was rather intrigued by this, and set off to find the village of Ardhasatya. The going was hard, and he soon lost his way in the jungle. It was getting rather dark, and the sounds of the wild animals were beginning to scare him. To his relief, he saw two men, gathering the fallen twigs for firewood. Thanking his lucky stars, he ran towards them.
"Greetings, gentlemen. I am Bir, a traveller. I seek the village of Ardhasatya, and I'm afraid I am lost. Do you know which way to go?", Said Birbal.
"Why yes, sire. Please take this path here, and you will be at the village in ten minutes!" said the first man.
"No NO", said the second man, horrified. "Please do not listen to him, sire, he is a liar. That path leads straight to the cave of a hungry lion. Take this path here"
"How can you say such things!" said the first man, " you know that path leads deeper into the jungle .."
"Good lord!" thought Birbal "I'm already within Ardhasatya. Now what do I do?"
He thought for a while, and asked the first man one question. And then he found the right path to take!
What question did he ask!?
Please try hard before CLICKing here for the answer!