One day, two men arrived at Emperor Akbar’s court. One was a poor farmer named Ramu, the other a rich merchant named Seth Sundarlal. They were fighting over a large banyan tree.
Ramu folded his hands and said, “Your Majesty, my grandfather planted this tree thirty-five years ago. Today it gives fruit, shade, and support to our whole village. But Sethji claims it stands on his land.”
Seth Sundarlal spoke proudly, “Your Majesty, I have the papers. The tree is within my boundary. This farmer is lying.”
Akbar examined both sets of papers. They were confusing, and the boundary line was unclear. The court fell silent. Akbar looked at Birbal.
Birbal smiled and said, “Your Majesty, today justice itself will climb the tree. Let us all go to that banyan.”
The entire court walked to the tree. It was very tall and dense. Birbal adjusted his turban and announced, “I will climb this tree myself. From above, the truth will become clear.”
Everyone was astonished. Birbal slowly climbed the branches and went high up. From the top, he looked carefully in every direction. Suddenly something caught his eye. He called out loudly, “Seth Sundarlal! What were your men just hiding in the bushes behind the tree?”
The Seth grew nervous. Birbal climbed down and pulled out an old stone from the bushes. On the stone was carved Ramu’s grandfather’s name and the year, along with a small family mark that only the true owners would know.
Birbal said, “This stone is the real boundary marker. Sethji tried to hide it. From above, everything became clear.”
Akbar laughed heartily, “Birbal! You have truly made justice climb the tree! Today the truth came from a height.”
Seth Sundarlal apologised. Akbar declared that the tree belonged to Ramu and ordered the Seth to pay for repairing the village well.
Birbal smiled and said, “Your Majesty, sometimes the truth is not found on the ground. It is hidden at a height.”
Moral: True justice always stands high. It rises above wealth and power and sees the truth clearly.