The Emperor's Strange Question

Emperor Akbar was fond of quizzing his ministers.

One day, he asked them a strange question. The ministers were confused and none of them could give the answer.

While they sat with bowed heads thinking of an answer, Birbal entered.

Birbal was a clever minister in Emperor Akbar’s court.

He saw the confused and embarrassed faces of the other ministers. 

He asked the Emperor, “Your Majesty, why are all these men so quiet today?”

The Emperor answered, “I have asked them a question and they are thinking of an answer.”

Birbal readily said, “Your Majesty, if you kindly tell me what the question was, I might be able to provide an answer.”

The Emperor complied and said, “Very well, Birbal, tell me this – how many crows are there in this town?”

Birbal promptly replied, “Your Majesty, there are forty thousand six hundred and eighty one crows in this town.”

The Emperor and all the ministers were stunned by this answer.

Then the Emperor asked Birbal, “How can you be so sure?”

Birbal smilingly answered, “Please tell the people in your court to count the crows in this town. If they are less, then some crows have gone to visit their friends and relatives in other towns. On the other hand, if they are more, then the crows from other towns have come here to visit their friends and relatives.”

The Emperor was delighted with Birbal’s clever reply and gave him a handsome reward. 

(Retold)