After that, Birbal set out in search of foolish individuals. As he walked, he pondered on where he could find such people. Suddenly, he spotted a man sitting on a donkey by the roadside, with grass tied to his head. Birbal immediately stopped the donkey and began questioning the man.

Birbal: Who are you, and why are you sitting on a donkey with grass on your head?

Man: I am Ramu. My donkey is weak and tired, so to lighten its load, I have placed this bundle of grass on my head.

Hearing this, Birbal thought, “I’ve found my first foolish person.” He then told Ramu that he would reward him if he came along to meet Emperor Akbar. Ramu happily agreed.

As Birbal and Ramu were walking, they encountered two men fighting. Birbal intervened and asked them why they were fighting.

First Man: My name is Changu.
Second Man: And I am Mangoo.

Mangoo explained, “Changu here says he has a lion, and he will release it to hunt my cow.”

Changu added, “Yes, and I am looking forward to it. It will be a lot of fun.”

Birbal inquired about their animals.

Mangoo replied, “When God comes to grant us a wish, I will ask for a cow, and Changu will ask for a lion to release for hunting.”

Birbal said, “That’s a good plan.”

Realizing that he had found two more foolish individuals, Birbal took Changu and Mangoo along with him. Continuing his search, Birbal found a man looking for something on the ground.

Birbal: What are you searching for?

Man: Sir, my ring fell somewhere here, but due to the darkness, I am unable to find it.

Birbal: Do you know where exactly the ring fell?

Man: Well, my ring fell near that tree, but because it’s dark, I am searching here.

Birbal: Alright, tomorrow come with me to the court of Emperor Akbar, and I will ask him to give you a new ring.

The man agreed happily. The next day, Birbal presented these three foolish individuals to Emperor Akbar.

Emperor Akbar: Birbal, you found foolish people so quickly. Are there more fools in our kingdom, and how can you be sure that these people are foolish?

Birbal: Your Majesty, I am one of them.

Emperor Akbar burst into laughter and said, “Now I understand who the other fool is. But tell me, Birbal, how can you be sure of the rest?”

Birbal replied, “The man sitting on the donkey with grass on his head is Ramu. He lightened the load of his donkey with this absurd method. Changu and Mangoo are the ones fighting over imaginary animals, waiting for God to fulfill their wishes. And the man searching for his ring in the wrong place in the dark is another fool. I brought them to prove that even in our kingdom, there are foolish individuals.”

Emperor Akbar, impressed with Birbal’s wit, praised him for his intelligence and said, “Birbal, you always have an answer for everything.”

Lesson from the story:

Using intelligence and wit, one can make challenging tasks easier. However, it’s important not to waste valuable time on tasks that have no meaning.