Due to Birbal’s intelligence and his skill in resolving problems, the emperor liked him immensely. Others, including Akbar’s brother-in-law, were often envious of Birbal. Akbar knew that there was no one like Birbal. He tried to explain this to his brother-in-law, but he always claimed to be equally intelligent. Due to these circumstances, Akbar decided that he needed to make his brother-in-law understand by assigning him a task.
Akbar then told his brother-in-law to outsmart the wealthy Seth Dhamdi Lal, who was known to be extremely greedy when it came to obtaining a particular box of coal. If successful, Akbar promised to replace Birbal with his brother-in-law.
Hearing this, Akbar’s brother-in-law was surprised but eager to prove himself.Â
He took the box of coal to Seth Dhamdi Lal, who was not one to easily fall for such schemes. Seth Dhamdi Lal refused to buy the coal.
Feeling dejected, Akbar’s brother-in-law returned to the palace. He said that he couldn’t sell the coal.
Upon hearing this, Akbar called Birbal to explain the situation. Birbal, in the guise of a wise man, advised Akbar’s brother-in-law to apply surma (kohl) to his eyes. He suggested that this magical surma had the power to reveal the truth about one’s ancestors. If someone was truly of noble lineage, their ancestors would appear upon using the surma.
Taking on the appearance of the wise man, Birbal proclaimed that the real heirs would be revealed upon applying the surma. This news spread throughout the city, reaching Seth Dhamdi Lal’s ears as well.
Seth Dhamdi Lal, curious and eager to prove his noble lineage, approached the wise man. He requested to use the surma on his eyes before buying the coal.
The wise man, who was actually Birbal, applied the surma and then instructed Seth Dhamdi Lal to close his eyes. Birbal, being clever, told him that he could see the ancestors of the person upon closing their eyes.
While Seth Dhamdi Lal had his eyes closed, Birbal quietly took away the box of coal. When Seth Dhamdi Lal opened his eyes, he found the coal missing and the wise man gone.
Realizing that he had been tricked, Seth Dhamdi Lal was furious. In the end, he handed over 10,000 rupees to Akbar’s brother-in-law as a punishment for his attempt to deceive him.
With joy, Akbar’s brother-in-law returned to the palace and told Akbar what had happened. Akbar’s brother-in-law then handed over the 10,000 rupees to Akbar.
Upon witnessing this, Akbar’s brother-in-law, feeling humiliated, left the palace. From that day forward, he never attempted to replace Birbal.
The moral of the story is that one should not harbor jealousy towards others and should use their intelligence to prove their worth.
