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The Wisest Answer

  • 3-4 min read
  • 10 pages

The wisest answer, an Akbar and Birbal story to read aloud. The emperor asks four impossible questions and gets four short replies.

Akbar came into the court one morning in the mood for making trouble, and he had four questions ready.

Akbar came into the court one morning in the mood for making trouble, and he had four questions ready.

«How many stars are there in the sky?» he said.

«How many stars are there in the sky?» he said.

«Exactly as many as there are hairs on my goat,» said Birbal.

«Exactly as many as there are hairs on my goat,» said Birbal. «Your Majesty is welcome to count them and check.»

«Where is the centre of the earth?»

«Where is the centre of the earth?»

Birbal took a stick, walked out into the courtyard, and pushed it into the ground.

Birbal took a stick, walked out into the courtyard, and pushed it into the ground. «Here,» he said. «Measure in any direction you like. If the measurements disagree, the fault is in the measuring.»

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Text source: Traditional Indian folk tale about the Mughal emperor Akbar (1542–1605) and his minister Birbal. Public domain. The text was written anew for Marytale — it is not a reprint of anyone else's version.

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