Long ago there lived a wise man his name Birbal. He was a minister in the court of the Mughal emperor Akbar. And some others minister were there. But he was only intelligent minister.

Birbal helped the king solve all his problems. Birbal also gave funny and clever answer to king’s questions. His answers always made king laugh and laugh. So he was King Akbar’s favorite minister.

One day an uncle of minister Birbal did something he should not have done. The king’s soldiers found out and arrested him. They took him to Akbar king’s court. Birbal was not at the court at that time. The Akbar was furious to hear what the old man had done. ``You will be put to death as punishment!’’. He said. The old man begged for mercy in tears. But it was of no use and waste. The king would not change his mind. The old man said, `` I am your minister Birbal’s uncle, he loves more’’. But still the king would not let him off.

Just then minister Birbal returned to the court. He heard the news. When the king saw Birbal enter, he said, ``Come, Birbal. I know what you will now say. But I shall not listen to you. I shall do exactly the opposite of what you are going to say’’. The king thought Birbal would beg him to set his uncle free.

But his minister Birbal was very clever, remember? He looked at the king and said, ``Lord! I was only going to say that you must not let my uncle go free. You must put him to death!’’

The king Akbar stared. He had said that he would do the opposite of what minister Birbal said. What could he do now? Birbal had cleverly tricked him! Emperor Akbar laughed grandly and let the old man go!