One day a merchant dressed in shiny clothes arrived in the court. He bowed proudly to Akbar and said, “Your Majesty, I am a very unique merchant. I have sold many things, but today I wish to sell you the moon.”
A wave of laughter swept through the court. Akbar also smiled and said, “The moon? How will you sell the moon?”
The merchant made a serious face and replied, “Your Majesty, I am the owner of the moon. If you give me one lakh gold coins, I will sell the moon to you. At night it will shine only above your palace.”
Some courtiers were surprised; some were laughing. Akbar looked at Birbal.
Birbal stepped forward and said calmly, “Dear merchant, selling the moon is a big claim. But first tell me — what is the proof that the moon belongs to you?”
The merchant said, “I bought it long ago. I have the papers.”
Birbal smiled and said, “All right. Then I have a small question. If the moon is yours, can you present it here in the court? Or can you weigh it on a scale?”
The merchant fell silent.
Birbal continued, “And one more thing — the moon gives light to people all over the world every night. If you sell it, what will the rest of the people do in the dark? Have you taken permission from them?”
Now the merchant’s face turned red. He stammered, “I… I was only joking.”
Akbar laughed loudly and said, “Birbal, you have done it again! The moon cannot belong to just one person.”
Birbal said to the merchant, “Brother, something that belongs to everyone cannot be sold by anyone. It is better that you do honest business.”
The merchant apologised in embarrassment and left. From that day he stopped making strange claims and began doing simple, honest trade.
Moral: Something that is shared by everyone cannot be sold or bought by a single person. True business runs on honesty.