Courtiers often accused Emperor Akbar of complimenting Birbal for intelligence and not other members of Court. One day, Emperor Akbar called his courtiers to the court and presented two arm length wide and one Arm length long sheet.
Then he said, “If you are able to cover me from head to toe by this sheet I will Declare you as intelligent as Birabl.” All the courtiers tried but could not fully cover the Emperor with the sheet. If they covered the head, The feet were visible. If they covered the feet, head could be seen. They readjusted the sheet in length, breadth And diagonal ways but were not successful.
Emperor called Birbal and gave him the same sheet to cover him. Emperor laid himself. Birbal asked him to fold his legs. Emperor did as he was told. Birbal covered Him from head to foot by the sheet. Other courtiers were watching Birbal sheepishly. Then Birbal said, “Spread your feet according to the size of the sheet.”
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