Brain Teasers
Birbal the Wise - XVI
Situation
Situation puzzles (sometimes called lateral thinking puzzles) are ones where you need to ask lots of yes or no questions to figure out what happened in the situation. These are good puzzles for groups where one person knows the puzzle and answers the questions.Situation
Emperor Akbar once ruled over India. He was a wise and intelligent ruler. He had in his court the Nine Gems, his nine advisors, who were each known for a particular skill. One of these Gems was Birbal, known for his wit and wisdom. The story below is one of the examples of his wit. Do you have it in you to find out the answer?
Once, two wandering poets from a faraway kingdom came to the Mughal Court. They recited songs, poems, and hymns. The Emperor was pleased with their talent and rewarded them with gold coins and other riches. Both poets were very thankful.
They sang in praise of Emperor Akbar. They said he was brave and just, learned and wise. One of the poets got carried away and said that Emperor Akbar was greater than God. Having said these words, the poets left with their belongings.
The Courtiers were all thinking about the words of the poet. Sure, the Emperor was great, but how could he be greater than God?
Emperor Akbar looked around the Court, and he realised why everyone was silent. He decided to have some fun and said, "It seems now that I am GREATER THAN GOD!" Akbar pretended to be serious.
Akbar looked around the court, and fearfully, all the courtiers except Birbal stated that Emperor Akbar was indeed greater than God.
Akbar thought that at least Birbal will disagree and be honest. He asked Birbal who's greater, Emperor Akbar or God.
Birbal then stated, "There is no doubt that you are greater than God!"
The Emperor felt displeased.
"Are you joking, Birbal?" he asked.
"Not at all, sire. You are greater than God because you can do something that even God cannot do!"
Akbar was stunned and curious. "Can you prove your statement, Birbal?"
Birbal did prove his point. What is that Emperor Akbar can do that even God cannot?
Once, two wandering poets from a faraway kingdom came to the Mughal Court. They recited songs, poems, and hymns. The Emperor was pleased with their talent and rewarded them with gold coins and other riches. Both poets were very thankful.
They sang in praise of Emperor Akbar. They said he was brave and just, learned and wise. One of the poets got carried away and said that Emperor Akbar was greater than God. Having said these words, the poets left with their belongings.
The Courtiers were all thinking about the words of the poet. Sure, the Emperor was great, but how could he be greater than God?
Emperor Akbar looked around the Court, and he realised why everyone was silent. He decided to have some fun and said, "It seems now that I am GREATER THAN GOD!" Akbar pretended to be serious.
Akbar looked around the court, and fearfully, all the courtiers except Birbal stated that Emperor Akbar was indeed greater than God.
Akbar thought that at least Birbal will disagree and be honest. He asked Birbal who's greater, Emperor Akbar or God.
Birbal then stated, "There is no doubt that you are greater than God!"
The Emperor felt displeased.
"Are you joking, Birbal?" he asked.
"Not at all, sire. You are greater than God because you can do something that even God cannot do!"
Akbar was stunned and curious. "Can you prove your statement, Birbal?"
Birbal did prove his point. What is that Emperor Akbar can do that even God cannot?
Answer
Birbal replied, "The thing that you can do that even God cannot do is that you can banish people from your kingdom. God cannot do this as he rules the entire Universe and heavens. In this respect, you can do something that even God cannot!"And to this reply, the entire court gave a standing ovation and clapped. Truly, Birbal's wisdom was unmatched.
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