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Kings
are the earthly powers that bestow energy (favours) spontaneously on
their favourite subjects. At the same time, they keep the subjects
in animated suspense at times. None can predict when they rain
showers, when they withdraw. Like the great gods, good lords may
delay: nevertheless, they will never deny.
"A
day's delay is a south-sea of discovery," says William
Shakespeare. This was most true in the case of Birbal in receiving
rewards from his master.
No
doubt, emperor Akbar was ever impressed by Birbal's wit and wisdom.
Many times he promised him for his quick-witted advice on
administrative, moral, and political problems. Soon he forgot to
fulfil his promises at the pressing of work. Unfortunately Birbal
didn't.
One
evening, as usual, the emperor and Birbal were on their stroll down
the banks of river Yamuna. When Akbar noticed a camel passing by, he
put a question to Birbal casually:
"Why
is the neck of the camel crooked?"
Birbal
thought for a moment, and said,
"The
camel must have forgotten, Jahapana, to honour a promise. The holy
books say that those who break their word will be punished with a
crooked neck. Perhaps that is the reason for the camel's crooked
neck."
The
emperor was embarrassed at this answer. He thought for a while and
realised his folly of making Birbal a promise, and failing to honour
it.
As
soon as "They returned to the court, Akbar fulfilled his
forgotten promise.
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