One day, Emperor Akbar was sitting in the court holding a beautiful royal stick in his hand. The stick was studded with gold and silver and was very precious. Suddenly Akbar said, “Today I ask all of you a question — what is the best use of this stick?”
The courtiers began looking at one another. Someone said, “To drive away enemies.” Someone said, “For hunting.” Someone said, “To increase royal glory.”
Birbal said calmly, “Your Majesty, if you permit, may I take the stick and show a small deed?”
Akbar handed the stick to Birbal.
Birbal took the stick and went towards the garden outside the court. There, a little child was crying. His toy had got stuck on a high branch of a tree. Birbal gently bent the branch with the royal stick and brought the toy down. The child smiled happily.
Then Birbal returned to the court, gave the stick back to Akbar and said, “Your Majesty, the best use of this stick is to help someone with it. Power looks beautiful only when it brings happiness to others.”
Akbar’s eyes shone with joy. He said, “Birbal, once again you have taught a lesson with your wisdom. No matter how precious a stick is, its real value lies in its right use.”
The entire court clapped. From that day, people began to understand that true power lies in helping others, not in showing off.
Moral: Power and resources become great only when they are used to help others.