COMPANY'S INFLUENCE

Emperor Akbar and Birbal were walking in the garden one day, when Birbal made fun of Akbar who did not like it.

Unaware that Akbar was annoyed, Birbal continued making fun of Akbar to make him laugh, because Akbar had a good sense of humor even if the joke was on him.

But that day, Akbar could not take it and he shouted, "You are so rude and insulting, Birbal, I don't like it."

Birbal' ssilence irritated him further. Akbar then said, "This time you have gone too far. You have insulted me."

Upset as he was, Akbar continued shouting at Birbal, who did not say anything but just stood quietly.

When Akbar had stopped shouting, Birbal bowed before him and said, "I am sorry, My Lord. But it is not my fault."

"Then whose fault is it?" asked Akbar.

Birbal replied, "Our Company influences us a lot."

Akbar asked, "You stay with me most time of the day. Do you mean you learn all these insulting things from me?"

Birbal replied politely, "Well I do spend most of the day in your company."

Then Akbar said, ,"Birbal, do you mean that you learn your rudeness from me too?"

Birbal not say anything.

Akbar forgot all his anger and started laughing.

Weather at its finest

One day, Akbar put yet another trying question to his courtiers.

He asked them, "When is the weather the finest?"

One courtier said, "In the summer season the weather is at its best."

Akbar said, "But it is hot in summers."

The courtier said, "It is hot but we can have cool drinks. We can also walk by the riverside and enjoy the cool evening breeze."

Another courtier spoke up, "I think monsoons are the best. It is so pleasant."

A third courtier said, "But there is water everywhere and very muddy in the monsoons. I think winters are the best

Another courtier said, "But winters are cold, harsh and very uncomfortable."

The third courtier said, "But we can have hot drinks and sit around a fire. We have so many vegetables to eat. It is so enjoyable to eat groundnuts in winters.

Another courtier said, "No, I think a spring is the most pleasant season, with flowers blooming all around."

Akbar was listening. He then turned to Birbal and said, "You have to tell me now which season is the finest?"

Birbal said, "Every weather can be the best and every weather can be the worst."
A courtier said, "Birbal's answer has no sense."

Birbal added, "I haven't finished. The most important thing i sthat a man should not go hungry."

Another courtier asked, "What has hunger got to do with weather?"

Birbal said, "See, if a man has eaten well and feels good, then he can enjoy all the seasons. But if he is hungry, he cannot enjoy any season."

The courtiers fell silent as Birbal said, "How can you enjoy the wonderful spring if your stomach is not full?"

Many courtiers nodded.

Birbal then explained, "If you have eaten well then you can enjoy the cool drinks of summer, the hot drinks of winter, the lovely breeze of spring and the cooling rains of monsoon."

A silence fell over the court.

Birbal continued, "Only a well fed person can think of other things and enjoy himself, no matter what the weather is like."

Akbar said, "Birbal, this is a very clever and wise reply. It has pleased me."