Akbar and Birbal Story In English for Kids

Children love to listen to stories; especially the ones that tickle their funny bone! Most of us grew up listening to the famous stories of the great King Akbar and one of his courtesans, Birbal, who was known for his intelligence and wittiness. These stories not only amused us, but they also taught us about the important virtues of life because they imparted us with a valuable moral at the end. If you wish to teach some good values to your child through story-telling, you can narrate some of the following Akbar-Birbal stories to your little angel.

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Witty and Funny Akbar-Birbal Stories

Birbal was not only known for his outstanding wit, but also for his impeccable presence of mind and intelligence. Here are some famous witty and short funny stories of Akbar and Birbal stories that will amuse your kiddo to the core:

1. The Crows in The Kingdom

On one fine sunny day, Akbar and Birbal were taking a leisurely walk in the palace gardens. Suddenly, Akbar thought of testing Birbal’s wits by asking him a tricky question.
Emperor asked Birbal, “How many crows are there in our kingdom?” Birbal could sense the amusement in the king’s voice, and within a few minutes Birbal replied, “My king, there are eighty thousand nine hundred and seventy-one crows in our kingdom”. Surprised and amazed, Akbar further tested Birbal, “What if we have more crows?” Birbal replied, “Oh, then the crows from the other kingdoms must be visiting us’’. “ What if there are lesser crows?” asked Akbar. “Well, then some of our crows must be visiting other kingdoms”, replied Birbal with a grin on his face. Akbar smiled at Birbal’s great sense of humour and wit.

Moral
There is always a solution if one thinks with ease.

Also Read: Top 20 Short Moral Stories for Children

2. Birbal’s Khichadi

Once on a cold winter day, Akbar and Birbal were walking by a lake. Akbar stopped and put his finger into the freezing water and immediately took it out saying, “I don’t think anyone can sustain a night in this cold water”. Birbal took that as a challenge and said that he would find someone who can do it. Akbar promised a sum of 1000 gold coins to whoever could spend a night standing in the cold water of the lake. Soon, Birbal found a poor man who agreed to undertake the challenge for the 1000 gold coins. Guarded by two royal guards, the poor man spent the entire night standing in the freezing water. In the morning, the poor man was taken to court for the reward. On being asked by the king how he could stand in freezing water, the man replied, “My lord, I kept looking at a lamp that was burning at a distance, and spent my entire night looking at it”. On learning this, the emperor said, “This man is not worthy of the reward as he could manage to stand in the lake because he was getting warmth from the lamp”. The poor man felt doomed and heart-broken. He reached out to Birbal for help. Birbal didn’t go to the court the next day. Akbar visited Birbal to find the reason. To his amusement, the King found Birbal sitting beside the fire with a pot hanging almost 6 feet above it. On being enquired, Birbal said, “I am cooking khichadi, my lord”. Akbar started laughing and said that was impossible. Birbal said, “It is possible my King. If a poor man can stay warm by simply looking at the lamp burning at a distance, I can cook this khichadi the same way.” Akbar understood Birbal’s point and rewarded the poor man for completing the challenge.

Moral
Hope can inspire people to work hard.

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3. The Foolish Thief

Once upon a time, a rich merchant was robbed in King Akbar’s kingdom. The grief-stricken merchant went to the court and asked for help. Akbar asked Birbal to help the merchant find the robber. The merchant told Birbal that he was suspicious of one of his servants. On getting the hint from the merchant, Birbal summoned all the servants and told them to stand in a straight line. When asked about the robbery, everyone denied doing it, as expected. Birbal then handed over one stick of the same length, to each one of them. While dispersing, Birbal said, “By tomorrow, the robber’s stick will increase by two inches”. The next day when Birbal summoned everyone and inspected their sticks, one servant’s stick was shorter by two inches. On being asked by the merchant about the mystery of finding the real thief, Birbal said, “It was simple: the thief had cut his stick by two inches, fearing that it would increase in size”.

Moral
Truth always prevails.

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4. Wise Birbal

Once upon a time, King Akbar lost a ring that was very precious to him. This ring was a gift from his father and losing it made the king very sad. Akbar summoned Birbal and requested him to find the ring. The court was full of courtiers. Birbal announced, “My great king, the ring is right here in the courtroom, and the one who has the ring has a straw stuck in his beard.” Everyone started looking at each other, and one of the courtiers started touching his beard to find the straw. Birbal called the guards and asked them to search the suspect. On searching the suspect, the ring was retrieved. Akbar was amazed at how Birbal managed to find the ring. Birbal said, “My King, the one who is guilty will always feel scared”.

Moral 
The guilty conscience needs no accusation.

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5. The Farmer’s Well

Once upon a time, a clever man sold his well to a farmer. The next day, when the farmer went to the well to fetch some water, the man said that he only sold the well and not its water. The farmer did not know what to do, and with a sad heart, he went to Akbar’s court. Birbal was told to take care of the case. The following day, the man who sold the well along with the farmer was called to the court. The clever man made the same statement – he had sold his well, not the water in it. On learning this, Birbal said, “My friend, in that case, you either remove your water from the well or pay tax for your water because it is the farmer’s well.” The man realised his mistake and asked for forgiveness as he felt helpless and outwitted.

Moral
If you cheat, you will pay for your deeds.

6. The Pot of Wit

Once upon a time, king Akbar got so mad at Birbal that he told Birbal to leave the kingdom and go away. Heartbroken, Birbal left the kingdom and took refuge at a farmer’s house in a nearby village. Birbal spent his days working at the farm. As time passed, King Akbar started missing his favourite courtier. One day, Akbar decided to send across his royal guards to find Birbal. The guards looked for Birbal in all directions, but all their efforts went to waste. Akbar thought of a trick to find Birbal – he made an announcement that whoever got him a pot full of wit would be given a pot filled with diamonds. The news reached all the nearby villages, and to Birbal as well. The villagers held a meeting to decide how to solve the king’s mystery. Birbal offered to help, stating that he needs a month’s time. Birbal took a pot and put a small watermelon in it without cutting it from its vines. After a month, the watermelon grew up to the size of the pot. This pot was sent to the King, and he was told that the wit should only be removed without breaking the pot. Akbar knew that this could be no one else but Birbal, and he went to bring Birbal back to his court.

Moral
Haste makes waste, think hard because there is a solution to every problem.

Also Read: Children’s Stories by Sudha Murty

7. Just One Question

The tales of Birbal’s unparalleled wit and wisdom had reached faraway lands. Once a scholar visited Akbar’s court with the thought of challenging Birbal’s intelligence. The scholar told the king that he is the smartest and even Birbal would not be able to answer his questions. Akbar called Birbal to the court and told him what the scholar claimed. Birbal accepted the challenge that the scholar had posed for him. The scholar asked Birbal, “Do you want to answer a hundred easy questions or one difficult question?” Birbal said that he wanted to answer the difficult one. The scholar said, “Tell me Birbal, what came first, the chicken or the egg?” Birbal thought for a while and said, “Chicken came first”. The scholar mocked Birbal and said, “How can you be sure?” Birbal immediately replied, “I had only promised to answer one question, and therefore, I will not reply”. The scholar felt ashamed of his claim and left with a heavy heart.

Moral
Presence of mind helps solve even the trickiest of problems.

8. The Hens and The Rooster

Once King Akbar thought of playing a trick on his favourite minister, Birbal. He confided in all other ministers and shared his plan with them. As per the plan, all the ministers had to carry an egg each the following day, hidden inside their robes. The next day, Akbar told his courtiers that he had a dream – according to it, if the ministers fetch an egg each from the royal pond, it will prove their loyalty towards him. After narrating his dream, Akbar asked all his ministers to do the same and show him their loyalty. As planned, all the ministers pretended to look for the eggs, and within no time all of them returned an egg each that was already hidden inside their robes. Birbal kept looking for the egg, but couldn’t find any. When Birbal reached empty-handed, everyone sneered at him, and they were smiling at each other. Birbal could gauge the entire scenario and went up to the king and made the loud rooster-sounds. The King was perplexed and asked Birbal why he did so, upon which Birbal replied, “My King, I am not a hen, and therefore, I could not fetch you any eggs; but I am a rooster, and this is what I can do best”. Listening to this, everyone burst into a hearty laugh.

Moral
Self-confidence helps in dealing with difficult situations.

9. Who Is the King

Once Birbal was sent as an ambassador to another kingdom. The King of that kingdom had also heard stories about Birbal’s sharp intellect and wanted to test the same. The King made all his ministers dress up like him, and they all sat in a line to test Birbal. When Birbal entered the courtroom, he was amazed to see everyone dressed in the same clothes and sitting on a similar kind of throne. Perplexed, Birbal took a moment to observe everyone and then went up to one of them and bowed in front of him. It was the King himself, who then was surprised beyond words. He stood up and hugged Birbal and also asked him how he could guess so. Birbal smiled and answered, “My lord, the kind of confidence you exuded, no one else did, and they also kept looking at you for approval”. The King felt amused and praised Birbal for his unmatched intellect and presence of mind.

Moral
Intelligent people can comprehend a great deal through observation.

10. Gold Coin and Justice

Just like any other day in King Akbar’s court, once Akbar asked Birbal, “My dear Birbal if I tell you to choose between justice and a gold coin, what will you choose?” Without taking long to answer, Birbal replied, “My lord, I will choose a gold coin, without a doubt”. Everyone including king Akbar was aghast at Birbal’s instant reply and thought that this time Birbal had fumbled for once. King Akbar said, “I am very disappointed in you. Why would you choose something of lesser value like a gold coin over something as valuable as justice?” Birbal replied with a grin on his face, “My kind King, there is no dearth of justice because there is justice everywhere in your kingdom. I felt no need to ask something that I have in abundance but my lord, I surely fall short of money, and a gold coin would be nice”. Listening to this reply, Akbar was speechless, but he had a big smile on his face. He felt overjoyed with the reply and rewarded Birbal with 100 gold coins.

Moral
One should choose one’s words wisely.

11. Who’s Mango Tree is It?

Once, two brothers, Ram and Sham, were fighting over the ownership of a Mango Tree. Ram said the Mango tree was his; while Sham said he owned it. Unable to find a way out, they decided to ask Birbal for help. Birbal analysed the situation and told the brothers to remove all the mangoes, share them between the two brothers, then cut the tree in two equal halves. Upon hearing Birbal, Ram noded, while Sham pled not to cut the tree for he had nurtured it for three whole years. Birbal found who the real owner of the tree was. He said, “The tree belongs to Sham because the very thought of cutting it down troubled him. Someone who has cared for it for three years won’t cut it down immediately.”

Moral
True ownership comes with responsibilities.

12. The Clever Thief

One day, a thief was brought before Akbar’s court. The thief claimed he was innocent, and it was the goldsmith who framed him. To test the thief’s intelligence, Akbar asked him to pick the missing parts from his ring that he had hidden under his chair. The thief said he didn’t need to do that because the goldsmith had taken the ring. The goldsmith was called, and he confessed to the crime. The thief was released, and the goldsmith was punished.

Moral
Honesty is the best policy.

13. The Three Questions

Akbar asked Birbal to find the answer to three questions: When is the best time to do things? Who is the most important person? What is the right thing to do? Birbal answered: The best time to do things is now, the most important person is the one you’re with, and the right thing to do is to help them.

Moral
Live in the present, prioritize relationships, and always be kind.

14. The Foolish Brahmin

A Brahmin found a pumpkin in his field and decided to take it to Akbar as a gift. On the way, he met Birbal, who asked him why he was carrying such a heavy load. The Brahmin boasted that he was taking a priceless diamond to Akbar. When he finally reached the court, Akbar asked him to cut the pumpkin in half. The Brahmin was shocked to find it was just a pumpkin. Birbal explained that lying and boasting brings nothing but embarrassment.

Moral
Honesty is always the best policy, and lying only leads to humiliation.

15. The Mulla’s Donkey

Akbar and Birbal were out for a walk when they saw Mulla Nasruddin’s donkey. Akbar asked Nasruddin why his donkey’s tail was cut off. Nasruddin explained that the tail was too long and got in the way. Akbar asked Birbal what he thought. Birbal replied that the tail should have been cut little by little to avoid hurting the donkey.

Moral
Small changes are better than big ones, and it’s important to be mindful of others’ feelings.

16. The Sweet Mangoes

Akbar and Birbal were given a basket of mangoes. Akbar took the bigger ones, and Birbal was left with the smaller ones. Later, Akbar discovered that the bigger mangoes were sour, while the smaller ones were sweeter. Birbal explained that good things come in small packages.

Moral
Size doesn’t matter, and it’s what’s on the inside that counts.

FAQs

1. What Is The Real Name Of Emperor Akbar?

Emperor Akbar’s real name was Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar. He was the third Mughal emperor and is known for his progressive policies and military conquests. Akbar is also famous for his relationship with his advisor, Birbal, who was known for his wit and intelligence. Their stories, often referred to as “Akbar Birbal stories,” have become a popular part of Indian folklore and are beloved for their humor and valuable life lessons. Whether you’re looking for a short story of Akbar and Birbal or want to dive into the world of Akbar Birbal stories in English, there’s no shortage of entertaining tales to discover.

2. Why Is Akbar Great?

Akbar was a great emperor for many reasons, including his progressive policies and military conquests. He was known for his religious tolerance and his efforts to unite India’s diverse communities. Akbar’s relationship with his advisor, Birbal, has also made him famous. The stories of their witty and humorous interactions, referred to as “Akbar Birbal stories,” have become a popular part of Indian folklore and are beloved for their valuable life lessons. Whether you’re looking for a short story of Akbar and Birbal or want to explore the world of Akbar Birbal stories in English, they are a great way to learn more about this legendary emperor.

3. How Many Akbar And Birbal Stories Are There?

There are countless Akbar Birbal stories that have been passed down through generations and are beloved by people of all ages. These stories are not only entertaining, but they also impart valuable life lessons and showcase the wit and wisdom of Birbal, Akbar’s trusted advisor. From tales of Birbal’s clever solutions to complex problems to humorous anecdotes of their playful banter, the Akbar Birbal stories offer a fascinating glimpse into the world of Mughal-era India. Whether you’re looking for a short story of Akbar and Birbal or want to explore the world of Akbar Birbal stories in English, there is always something new to discover and enjoy.

4. Why Are Akbar And Birbal’s Stories Popular?

The stories of Akbar and Birbal are popular for many reasons. Not only are they entertaining and humorous, but they also offer valuable life lessons and insights into the culture and customs of Mughal-era India. Birbal’s wit and intelligence, combined with Akbar’s power and authority, create a compelling dynamic that draws readers in and keeps them engaged. Whether you’re reading a short story of Akbar and Birbal or exploring the world of Akbar Birbal stories in English, you’re sure to be entertained and inspired by these timeless tales.

5. Who Were The 9 Gems Of Akbar’s Court?

The “Nine Gems” or “Navaratnas” were a group of exceptionally talented individuals who served as advisors and scholars in the court of Emperor Akbar. The members of this esteemed group included Birbal, the witty and intelligent advisor who is often featured in Akbar Birbal stories, Tansen, the renowned musician, Todar Mal, the finance minister, Raja Man Singh, the commander-in-chief of the army, Abdul Rahim Khan-I-Khana, the poet and scholar, Fazl, the historian, Mullah Do Piyaza, the spiritual advisor, and Raja Birbal Dhar, the minister of commerce. Each of these individuals brought their unique skills and perspectives to Akbar’s court, and together they helped to shape the emperor’s policies and decisions. Their contributions are remembered to this day as a testament to the brilliance and diversity of Mughal-era India.

We are sure that you liked all the above stories as they are not only filled with humour, but also have a lesson to teach. Make a bedtime story-telling routine with your children and narrate these wonderful stories to them every night. They don’t just help family bonding but also help the children gain a different perspective.

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