LIME AND BUTTER

One day Emperor Akbar saw aint peeling at many palaces on the palace wall.

He called his servant, Jumman and said, "Get this wall painted with lime immediately."

Jamman was not feeling well that day so he did not paint the wall. The next day, Emperor was infuriated to see that the wall had not been painted.

Akbar shouted at Jamman, "Why did you not paint the wall yesterday."

Jumman replied, "Pardon me, My Lord, I was unwell yesterday, so I could not paint the wall."

"Stop making excuses. You shall now have to eat the lime that was meant to paint the wall," said Akbar.

Poor Jumman did not know what to say. He went to get lime to eat just as Akbar ordered him to.

On the way he ran into Birbal who asked him the reason for him being so upset. The scared Jumman narrated the entire incidence to Birbal.

Birbal then said, "You should have obeyed the Emperor. Be careful the next time. Now don't worry and do as I say."

Jumman was only too happy to obey.

Birbal asked him to get a bowl of lime mixed with some butter.

Jumman took the bowl to Akbar who asked him to eat the lime.

Jumman ate the lime mixed with butter. Akbar thought that Jumman would be sick after eating the lime but he was surprised to see a hale and hearty Jumman the next day.

Akbar thought, "Jumman is looking healthy. Why has the lime not had any effect on him? I must ask him myself.

Jumman was summoned and Akbar asked him, "Yesterday, when you went to get the lime, why did you take so long?"

"I met Birbal in the way," said Jumman.

Akbar said, "Birbal! you met Birbal, Hmmm! Bring the bowl of lime from which you ate yesterday."

Emperor Akbar then checked the bowl and was surprised to see lime mixed with butter. Akbar realized that butter had prevented any harm that lime could have caused. That is why Jumman had not become sick.

Akbar laughed and said, "Clever Birbal! He really uses his mind to save people from my punishments."