Giving And Receiving

 Emperor Akbar was holding court one day. A courtier went forward, salaamed the emperor thrice, and said: "A new variety of attar has come from Isfahan. Would Shahenshah be gracious enough to give his opinion?" He placed a tiny vial on the emperor's extended palm. 

Akbar opened the vial and smelled the content. A smile came to his face. He looked at his courtiers. "You've all seen me receive this bottle from Mir Shamsuddin. Can any of you tell me when the hand of the giver is below that of the receiver?" He awaited an answer.

Shamsuddin looked perplexed. Did he do anything wrong by placing the vial on the emperor's palm? He looked at the emperor’s palm. He was about to say something, but he saw the emperor waving his hand. "Do you have an answer?"

There was a murmur among the courtiers. True, Akbar was fond of posing puzzling questions to courtiers. Today's question baffled them. Shamsuddin returned to his seat.

Another courtier stood up. "Does it matter, Shahenshah, whether one palm is above or below the other?" Once again a smile arose on the emperor's face.

Akbar looked around as if he was searching for a face. "So none of you knows the answer? Where's Birbal?" he asked. Every pair of eyes searched for Akbar’s favourite courtier.

"Here I am, Shahenshah!" The courtiers turned their eyes to the carpeted pathway. " Birbal!" the emperor greeted him. "You've come just in time to clear one of my doubts." The emperor then repeated his question.

Birbal took a look at the courtiers and went up to the emperor. He pulled out a snuff box, opened the lid, and extended his palm. Akbar took   a pinch of the snuff. Birbal said with a smile: "When one offers snuff, his hand is below that of the other!"