Emperor Akbar was always impressed with Birbal’s wisdom and wit. He used to love giving him very difficult puzzles to solve and Birbal’s answers were very quick and witty.
One day, the Emperor asked Birbal a very hard question and Birbal answered it perfectly. King Akbar got very pleased and promised Birbal a 1000 gold coins.
However, King Akbar forgot about his promise. Several days passed and King Akbar did not give the money to Birbal. Birbal was very disappointed with the king.
One day, King Akbar and Birbal were walking along the banks of the river Yamuna. King Akbar saw a camel sitting there eating some straw.
The King asked Birbal, “Tell me Birbal, why is the camel’s neck crooked?”
Birbal thought for a while and then replied, “My King, maybe the camel has forgotten to honour a promise which he had made to somebody. Maybe God has punished the camel by giving it a crooked neck.”
Akbar realized that he too had not fulfilled his promise to Birbal. As soon as they arrived at the palace, Emperor Akbar gave Birbal the reward.
This is how clever Birbal got what he wanted, without even asking for it.
