Article#34: The BackFire

How many of you heard the famous Akbar Birbal Stories? Well, this article is one of those interesting stories that emphasizes on being good to others.

Birbal was the most loved minister for Emperor Akbar because of his wit and wisdom. However, a group of ministers were jealous of his growing popularity and disliked him intensely. They even chalked out a plan to kill Birbal with the help of King’s Barber by offering the barber a huge sum of money.

As soon as the King needed the services of the barber, the barber started this way
“Your Majesty, I used to serve for your father as well. His hair was so smoothy and silky that I enjoyed my services for him. With all due respect and permission, I would like to ask you a question”

The king who became happy on hearing the praises for his father asked the barber to go ahead.

The barber asked, “Maharaj, you are the emperor now. You are enjoying lot of prosperity and respect in the kingdom that you inherited from your ancestors. Did you give any attempt to do something for the welfare of your ancestors?”

The king became furious and said, “What kind of a stupidity is this? They are not in this world anymore, how can you expect me to do something for them?”

The barber replied, “Please excuse me your majesty. I know a magician who could come to our help. The magician could send a person up to heaven to enquire your father’s welfare. But the person should be chosen carefully. He must be wise, intelligent and responsible”

Immediately, Birbal appeared to the mind of Akbar. He asked the barber to go ahead and make the required arrangements. The barber explained that they would take Birbal in a procession to the burial grounds and light a pyre. The magician would then chant some ‘mantras’ as Birbal would ascend to the heavens through the smoke. The chanting would help protect Birbal from the fire.

Upon Emperor’s order, Birbal agreed to the deal knowing that it was the plot of the barber. But he had two conditions, he should be given large sum of money for the long journey as well as one month’s time to settle his family. The king agreed.

In the duration of this month, he got a few trustworthy men to build a tunnel from the funeral grounds to his house. On the day of ascension, after the pyre was lit, Birbal escaped through the concealed door of the tunnel. He disappeared into his house where he hid for a few months while his hair and beard grow long.

In the meantime, his enemies were rejoicing as they thought that Birbal died. Then, one day after so many months Birbal arrived at the palace.

The king was very happy and asked, “Birbal, How was the journey? How are my ancestors? Is my father doing well?”

Birbal said, “Your highness, your father had been provided with all the comforts except one”.

The king asked, “What was that? Now, we can send anything to heaven”.

Birbal replied, “Sir, there were no barbers in heaven, that’s the reason even I had to stay with a long beard. Your father asked for a good barber”.

The king decided to send his own barber to serve his father in heaven. Now, the barber couldn’t say anything as he got caught in his own trap.

The ultimate message here is if you plot against someone, some day it will back fire you. So, always try to be good and do good to everyone around you.