One day, a strange chest arrived in the court. On it was written — “Seven Secrets in Seven Days”. Inside the chest were seven small closed boxes. Along with them was a note: “Open one box each day. Only the truly wise will understand the secrets.”
Akbar became interested and said to Birbal, “Birbal, solve these seven secrets in seven days.”
Birbal smiled and accepted the responsibility.
Day 1: The first box contained a small broken key.
Birbal said, “This secret is — incomplete knowledge is of no use. Only complete understanding opens the lock.”
Day 2: The second box had a picture of a closed fist.
Birbal said, “This tells us that a closed mind cannot hold anything. Keep your heart open; only then good things will enter.”
Day 3: The third box contained a small mirror.
Birbal explained, “First, know yourself. One who does not know himself, how will he know others?”
Day 4: The fourth box had two seeds — one healthy and one dry.
Birbal said, “Good company and bad company. You become like the company you keep.”
Day 5: The fifth box contained a small candle.
Birbal said, “Knowledge is like a candle. The more you share it, the more it spreads. It never decreases.”
Day 6: The sixth box had a feather and a stone.
Birbal explained, “Harsh words hurt like a stone. Gentle words feel soft like a feather.”
Day 7: The last box contained only a small blank piece of paper.
Everyone was surprised. Birbal smiled and said, “This is the greatest secret — the real secret of life is not any magical thing, but our daily thoughts and actions. What we write with our behaviour becomes our truth.”
Akbar was very happy. He said, “Birbal, in seven days you have given seven secrets that will be useful for a lifetime.”
The entire court clapped. Those seven small secrets now lived in everyone’s heart.
Moral: Great secrets are often hidden in small, wise things. To recognise them, we need a calm mind and open eyes.