One day a big debate was going on in the court. Some learned courtiers wanted to compete with Birbal. They asked him many difficult questions. Birbal answered every one of them calmly and with a smile.
Finally, a proud scholar said, “Birbal, you are very clever. Now you ask us a question. What is your last question?”
The entire court became silent. Even Akbar watched with interest.
Birbal looked at everyone slowly and said, “My last question is only one — ‘When you are wrong, whose words do you accept first — your own or others’?’”
Silence fell over the court.
The proud scholar’s face turned red. He could not say anything. The other courtiers also lowered their heads and began to think. No one gave a quick answer.
Akbar smiled and asked, “Birbal, what is the answer to this question?”
Birbal replied humbly, “Your Majesty, the answer lies inside each person. The one who remains stubborn even when he is wrong never learns. And the one who accepts the correct words of others is truly wise. That is the meaning of my last question.”
Akbar clapped. He said, “This last question is actually the first lesson — the lesson of improving oneself.”
The proud scholar bowed his head and said, “Birbal ji, today you have won us over. Your last question will stay in our hearts.”
From that day onward, people in the court began to listen to one another more carefully.
Moral: True wisdom lies in giving up stubbornness and accepting the right words when we are wrong.