It was hot and arid; the summer season was at its worst. Emperor Akbar was out on stroll with his courtiers. Dreading the heat and its effects, Emperor Akbar said, "It is hot, even at this hour". He worried about the wells and ponds that were drying up at an alarming rate. Leaning over the wall of a well, he saw that the bottom was bone dry. The Emperor sighed.
'It'll remain so till the rains come, Shahenshah (emperor)! This is the best time to drop something into the well and watch it hit the bottom. At other times, the object hits the water and gets lost in the depths of the waters." said Birbal. He picked up a stone and dropped it into the well. The stone hit the bottom with a mild thud. 'One stone deserves another," said the emperor. He then removed his gold ring which was set with a huge diamond and dropped it into the well. Birbal was taken aback.
"One stone deserves another, Badshah (emperor)! That's fair enough. But a plain stone doesn't deserve a precious stone," Birbal pointed out. Instantly, Emperor Akbar realised his mistake. But the emperor was in a mood for mischief. 'Birbal, I can always ask our men to get into the well and recover the ring. But can anyone pull out the ring without getting into the well?" he asked. All the courtiers, save Birbal, declared the feat to be impossible to achieve. Akbar turned to Birbal and asked, "Do you give up too?"
Birbal thought for some time and said, " Jahanpanah , I can, but I will need time to do that. If all goes well, I should get the ring out by dusk. Till then, Shahenshah, my plan must remain a secret." "No dirty tricks, Birbal!� said one of the courtiers who was jealous of Birbal's wit.
"I won't dare do that, Alampana! I love life,� said Birbal with a smile. " Shahenshah , I suggest you post a sentry to keep a watch on what Birbal does," the courtier appealed to the emperor. The emperor agreed and ordered two guards to keep a watch over the well.
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