Birbal Goes to Heaven

Dadi: "Beta, have you ever had someone be mean to you because they were jealous?"

Guddu: "Yes, Dadi. Sometimes kids at school don't like it when I do well."

Dadi: "That's very common, beta. Let me tell you a story about Birbal, Emperor Akbar's wisest minister, and how jealous people tried to get rid of him - but his cleverness saved the day!"

Guddu: "I love Birbal stories! What happened?"

Dadi: "Emperor Akbar was very fond of Birbal. He would give him special treatment, ask for his advice on everything, and laugh at all his witty comments. This made the other courtiers terribly jealous."

Guddu: "They wanted to be the Emperor's favorite?"

Dadi: "Exactly. Many people plotted against Birbal, but they could never succeed because Birbal was too clever. One day, the Emperor's own barber came up with a wicked plan."

Guddu: "The barber?"

Dadi: "Yes, beta. While trimming the Emperor's beard one day, the barber said casually: "Your Majesty, last night I had the most wonderful dream about your father.""

Guddu: "Akbar's father was no longer alive, right?"

Dadi: "Correct. Akbar got very interested. "Really? What did he say?""

Guddu: "What did the barber tell him?"

Dadi: "The cunning barber said: "Your Majesty, your father said he is extremely happy in heaven. But sometimes he feels bored because there is no one witty enough to entertain him.""

Guddu: "Oh no... I think I see where this is going!"

Dadi: "When the Emperor looked puzzled about who could help, the barber suggested: "Perhaps Birbal could go to heaven and keep your father company?""

Guddu: "The barber wanted Birbal to die!"

Dadi: "Exactly his plan, beta. And the Emperor, in his desire to please his late father, actually agreed! He called Birbal and said: "Birbal, I believe you are completely loyal to me. Would you sacrifice anything for me?""

Guddu: "What did Birbal say?"

Dadi: "Birbal, always the quick thinker, replied: "Yes, Jahanpanah! Absolutely!" But inside, he understood immediately that someone was plotting against him."

Guddu: "Did he refuse to go?"

Dadi: "He couldn't directly refuse the Emperor! Instead, he said cleverly: "I will go to heaven, Your Majesty, but I need a few days to prepare myself for the journey.""

Guddu: "He was buying time to make a plan!"

Dadi: "Exactly! Akbar granted him one week. Birbal went home and began to think. Then a brilliant idea struck him."

Guddu: "What did he do?"

Dadi: "Near his house, Birbal dug a deep ditch - this would look like his grave. But secretly, he also dug a tunnel from the bottom of the ditch that led right into a hidden room in his house!"

Guddu: "So he could escape underground!"

Dadi: "When the day came, Birbal announced: "Your Majesty, I wish to be buried alive near my house, so I can reach heaven while still living to properly entertain your father.""

Guddu: "And the Emperor agreed?"

Dadi: "He did! The jealous courtiers and the barber were overjoyed. Finally, they would be rid of Birbal! A date was chosen, and Birbal was buried alive in the ditch near his house."

Guddu: "But he escaped through the tunnel?"

Dadi: "Yes! As soon as everyone left, Birbal crawled through his secret tunnel into his house. There, he lived in hiding for six whole months!"

Guddu: "Six months? What was he doing all that time?"

Dadi: "Waiting, beta - and growing a very long, shabby beard! You see, he needed to look like someone who had been in heaven for a long time."

Guddu: "That's so clever!"

Dadi: "After six months, Birbal emerged with a long, messy beard and tangled hair. He walked straight into the Emperor's court!"

Guddu: "What happened when the Emperor saw him?"

Dadi: "Akbar was overjoyed! "Birbal! You're back! How is my father? Did he send you back?""

Guddu: "What did Birbal say?"

Dadi: "Here comes the best part, beta. Birbal said: "Yes, Your Majesty! Your father is very well and happy in heaven. But there is one problem up there.""

Guddu: "What problem?"

Dadi: ""Look at my beard and hair, Your Majesty. As you can see, there is not even a single barber in all of heaven. Your father requests that you send your own royal barber to him immediately!""

Guddu: "Ha! The same barber who planned everything!"

Dadi: "The Emperor understood everything instantly. The barber's own evil plan had come back to destroy him!"

Guddu: "What did Akbar do?"

Dadi: "He rewarded Birbal handsomely for his cleverness and loyalty. And the barber? He was sentenced to life in prison for his wicked plot."

Guddu: "Serves him right!"

Dadi: "The barber's jealousy and cunning had backfired completely. His own trap became his punishment."

Guddu: "What does this story teach us, Dadi?"

Dadi: "Several things, beta. First, when you're good at something, people may get jealous - but don't let that stop you from doing your best. Second, cleverness and patience can overcome even the most dangerous situations. Birbal didn't panic or refuse the Emperor directly; he asked for time and made a brilliant plan."

Guddu: "And the barber learned that evil plans come back to hurt you!"

Dadi: "Exactly! What goes around comes around, beta. The barber tried to send Birbal to his death, and ended up in prison himself. Truth and cleverness will always triumph over jealousy and wickedness."

Guddu: "I love how Birbal turned the whole thing around with the barber joke!"

Dadi: "That's the beauty of wisdom, beta. Birbal could have just come back and exposed the barber directly. But by making it about the beard and the barber in heaven, he let the Emperor figure it out himself - and the punishment felt even more fitting!"

Guddu: "Birbal really was the cleverest person in the kingdom!"

Dadi: "He was, beta. And his stories remind us that a quick mind and good heart can overcome any obstacle."