Flowers for Emperor

Emperor Akbar and some of his courtiers were strolling through the royal gardens. “How beautiful is that flower, Man can never produce anything as beautiful as this?” said the court poet, drawing the emperor’s attention to a flower growing on a bush. “Man can sometimes produce more beautiful things,” said Birbal. “I don’t believe it!” said the emperor. “You are talking nonsense, Birbal!” A few days later Birbal led a master craftsman of Agra into Akbar’s presence. The man presented the emperor with an exquisite marble carving of a bouquet of flowers. The emperor rewarded him with a thousand gold coins. Just then a small boy entered and gave Akbar a bunch of roses. Akbar thanked the boy and gave him a silver coin. “So the carving was more beautiful than the real thing,” said Birbal softly and the emperor realized with a start that once again he had played into the hands of his witty courtier.

The End