One day a proud, rich man came to the court. His name was Rao Sahib. He spoke with great arrogance, “Your Majesty, I am a lion and all other people are sheep. My courage alone is equal to that of a hundred men!”

Some people in the court laughed; others stayed silent. Akbar’s brows furrowed slightly. He looked at Birbal.

Birbal smiled and said, “Your Majesty, Rao Sahib has made a very big claim. With your permission, I would like to conduct a small test.”

Akbar agreed. Birbal ordered that a hundred sheep be brought to the palace garden. Soon a hundred sheep arrived and began grazing here and there.

Birbal turned to Rao Sahib and said, “Rao Sahib, you are a lion. Please gather these hundred sheep and make them stand in a straight line. Just this much.”

Rao Sahib thumped his chest and said, “Is this even a task?”

He went among the sheep and started shouting loudly, “Come here! Stop!” He ran with a stick. The sheep panicked and scattered in all directions. The more he shouted, the more they ran. Rao Sahib became exhausted, but not a single sheep listened to him.

Then Birbal called a simple shepherd boy who had come with the sheep. The boy was only twelve or thirteen years old. Birbal said, “Son, please gather these sheep calmly in one place.”

The boy smiled. He blew a soft whistle and began walking slowly. The sheep recognised his voice. They quietly followed him and within a short time stood in a neat line. No noise, no running around.

The people of the court were amazed. Birbal looked at Rao Sahib and said, “Rao Sahib, being a lion does not mean only shouting and scaring others. A true lion is one who works with calmness and understanding. Among these hundred sheep, this little boy has proved to be the real lion today.”

Akbar laughed heartily and said, “Birbal, you have done it again! The voice of pride is loud, but real strength is quiet.”

Rao Sahib’s head hung in shame. He apologised and from that day learned to speak more gently.

Moral: A true lion is not the one who roars the loudest, but the one who acts with calmness, wisdom and courage.