One day, Padishah Akbar asked Birbal:
- Who is the most cunning in everyday affairs, and who is the most stupid?
- Lord of the world! - Birbal answered without hesitation. “In everyday affairs, there is no one more cunning than merchants, and mullahs are the stupidest.”
- You are mistaken, Birbal! This cannot be, the padishah did not believe. - Mullahs are learned people, why do you consider them fools?
- Okay, Huzur! Spare no expense, and I will actually prove that I am right. Then you will say for yourself whether the mullahs are stupid or not. Just, whatever I do, please do not interfere, watch, listen and be silent.
The padishah agreed. Then Birbal sent for the chief Delhi mullah.
When the chief mullah appeared at the darbar, Birbal called him, sat him down and said to him calmly and softly:
“You know, Mullah-ji, His Majesty needed your beard.” You will be paid for it from the treasury, as much as you wish.
Mulla was struck as if by thunder. Even on the way to the palace, his knees buckled, he walked and thought: “Why are they suddenly asking me to go to the darbar?” And from Birbal’s words his vision completely darkened, his head went spinning.
- Mister Wazir! - he said in a trembling voice. - How is this possible?! The beard is pleasing to God, how can I give it away?
Birbal sees that the mullah is barely alive from fear. “Now it’s time...” he said to himself and began:
- Mullah-ji! Good must be paid for with good. For so many years the padishah has been merciful to you, but now he only needs a beard from you, and you refuse! And if something more important is needed, then, obviously, there’s nothing to hope for. This is not good, not good! It’s been said: “If you live in water, don’t quarrel with a crocodile.” If the sovereign wanted it, he would simply take away everything you have. Only out of his mercy does His Majesty take your beard for nothing and agree to pay for it.
The mullah trembled. Oh, if only the master were really angry with him... Then expect even worse trouble. As they say: “I don’t care about fat, I wish I was alive.” Mullah humbly lowered his head, sighed and said humbly:
“Well, Mr. Wazir, order me to pay twenty-five rupees.”
On Birbal's orders, the treasurer immediately gave the mullah the money. The barber came and instantly shaved the mullah’s beard. The mullah made salaam to the padishah and went home. On the way, he repeatedly praised the Almighty that he got off lightly, because everything could have turned out worse.
As soon as the mullah left, Birbal sent a servant to fetch a well-known merchant in the city - the owner of a long, thick beard. Having received the order, the merchant hurried to the darbar.
“His Majesty needed your beard.” They will pay you whatever you want for it,” Birbal told the merchant.
“His Majesty is our master, everything is his will, I don’t dare contradict.” But, Mr. Wazir, the fact is that I am a poor man,” the merchant whined.
- Poor, rich, what difference does it make to us! Birbal said in a stern voice. - The padishah needs this beard, name your price and give the beard. What you say is what you get.
The merchant did not hide his confusion.
“Benefactor, you are our father,” he began with tears in his voice, “you can do whatever you want, but still...
“Why are you being cunning, asking riddles,” Birbal interrupted. - Be honest, how much do you want for the beard?
“Your Grace, when my father passed away, I spent five thousand rupees on funeral rites, all for this tuft of hair,” the merchant stroked his thick beard. “Then my mother died, and the same amount was spent on funeral rites, which means also five thousand rupees.” Afterwards, O benefactor, we went to holy places, offered prayers in temples, brought gifts to commemorate our departed parents, and when we returned, we spent on food for the brahmanas - all this cost fifteen thousand rupees. You also know, O patron of the poor, what kind of tuft of hair this tuft of hair is,” here the merchant again touched his thick beard, “we are honored by everyone at the market and respected in the community...
- Well, that's enough, that's enough. You have counted all expenses for twenty-five thousand rupees, here is a note to the treasurer, you will receive them. Now sit down, the barber will shave you.
The merchant hid the note in his belt and sat down next to the barber, saying:
- As your honor pleases!..
In those ancient times, barbers had neither soap nor brushes. The barber scooped up handfuls of water from the pot and moistened the merchant’s thick beard. Trying to wet his hair better, he accidentally pulled it painfully. The merchant got angry and slapped the barber.
- Hey, you! Be careful! - he shouted. - What do you think, this is the beard of some merchant?! Don’t you know that this is now the beard of His Majesty the Padishah?
The padishah was angry with the merchant for his indecent behavior and ordered the servants to hit the rude man on the neck and throw him out. Finding himself outside the door, the merchant rushed to run as fast as he could, clutching his belt with his hand, where the note to the treasurer lay.
When the padishah's anger subsided, Birbal said:
- Huzur! You see how cunning the merchant is - he received twenty-five thousand rupees and carried away his beard and legs in good time. And the simpleton mullah said goodbye to his beard for only twenty-five rupees.
The padishah marveled, but recognized the justice and wisdom of Birbal.
Translated from Russian · original on wisdomlib.ru