THE BEST WEAPON

One day, Akbar asked his courtiers, "Which is the most useful weapon to guard onself with?"

One minister said, "The spear."

Another said, "The spear is too long. The sword is shorter and better."

A courtiers said, "Won't a knife be better? It is small enough to be hidden in one's clothes and can be used easily and quickly."

Akbar asked Birbal, "Why are you quiet?"

Birbal said, "I don't agree with these people, Your Majesty."

Akbar said, "Then what do you believe to be the best weapon?"

Birbal said, "A weapon is not necessary. Anything that comes handy at the time of danger is the best weapon."

No one agreed with Birbal, not even Akbar.

Akbar said, "No, Birbal. I don't agree with you. You do need a weapon to fight danger. Anything cannot help."

So Birbal thought, "I must prove it."

The next day, Birbal took Akbar for a walk in the city.

They walked around for some time. Then Birbal took Akbar through a very narrow street.

Suddenly, Akbar saw an elephant rushing towards them. Akbar took out his sword, but he realized that the sword was not enough to stop an elephant.

Not knowing what to do, Akbar turned to Birbal for help.

Birbal looked around him and saw a puppy standing on one side. Birbal picked up the puppy and threw it gently towards the elephant.

The puppy landed on the trunk of the elephant.

The poor puppy got so scared that it clung on to the elephant's trunk. The sharp nails of the puppy dug into the trunk and hurt the elephant.

The elephant was beginning to get irritated. He was unable to move ahead for the puppy was blocking his view.

The lane was so narrow that the elephant could not swing its trunk to drop the puppy. The elephant started walking backwards.

As I went back, the elephant owner, who had been looking for his elephant, caught it. The puppy quickly jumped off the elephant and ran away.

Akbar heaved a sigh of relief.

Then Birbal said, "Your Majesty, your sword did not help you when the elephant was nearly on us."

"Yes, that true Birbal," said Akbar.

"Then a harmless puppy came in handy and saved us. So, it was the best weapon at that time when danger, in the form of the elephant, was closing on us," said Birbal.

Akbar took out his pearl necklace and gave it to Birbal as a reward, saying, "Thank you for saving my life."