Akbar, Birbal and Hundred Gold Coins

     Akbar, Birbal and Hundred Gold Coins

      Birbal was one of the ministers in the court of King Akbar. The wisdom of Birbal was matchless. Akbar loved his sharp wit and presence of mind. But Akbar’s brother-in- law was very jealous of Birbal. He asked the King to remove Birbal from his cabinet and appoint him in his place. He assured Akbar that he will prove himself better than Birbal. But before Akbar could take a decision in this matter, Birbal came to know about it.

      Birbal resigned and left King Akbar’s court. Akbar’s brother-in- law was given the charge in place of Birbal. Akbar decided to test the new minister. He gave him three hundred gold coin and said, ‘spend these gold coins in such a way that I get a hundred gold coins in this life itself, a hundred gold coins in the next life and another hundred gold coins neither here nor there.’

      The new minister did not know what to do with the coins. He was very confused. He spent days to find ways to follow the King’s instruction but failed.

      Eventually, on the advice of his wife, he sought Birbal’s help. Birbal listened to him and said, “Do not worry. Just give me the gold coins. I shall handle the rest.”

      Birbal walked through streets of the city with the bag of gold coins. He saw a rich merchant celebrating his son’s wedding. Birbal gave him hundred gold coins and bowing courteously said, ‘King Akbar has sent his good wishes and blessing for you son. Please accept the gift he has sent.’

       The merchant felt very happy that the king Akbar has sent a special messager with such a precious gift. He honoured Birbal and gave him a large number of attractive gift and a bag of gold coinsas return gift for the king.

        Next, utilizing another hundred gold coin Birbal bought food and clothes and distributed them among the poor and needy people in the name of the King. Afterwards, he organixed a music concert in the town and spent a hundred gold coins on various items for the show.

        The next day Birbal entered Akbar’s darbar and told him, ‘Jahanpanah, I have done all that your majesty had asked your brother-in- law to do. Akbar wanted to know how he had done it.

        Birbal told him how he used the gold coins, “First, the money I gave to the merchant for his son’s wedding, you have got back here itself. Then I spent money on buying food and clothes for the poor and needy, you will get it back in the other world. Lastly, the money I spent on the musical concert, you will get neither here nor there.’

         Akbar’s brother-in- law was stunned with disbelief. He acknowledged the exceptional wisdom of Birbal. Realising his mistake he resigned from Akbar’s court. Birbal got his place back.

This story is simbolis. The money spent on charity or public welfare get converted into blessings from God which will be you eternal treasure. The money spent on pleasures is just wasted away. It has no real value.

NAME : DIMAS GETIH PANGESTU
NIM     : 183211112