In a village, there lived two farmers — Ramu and Shyamu. They were quarrelling over a small field. Ramu said the field belonged to his grandfather; Shyamu said it belonged to his father. Both had old papers, but there was no clear proof.

One day Ramu went to the well to get water. Around his neck hung an old silver locket with his grandfather’s name engraved on it. Suddenly the chain broke, and the locket fell into the well.

Ramu became very sad. He said, “My truth has also hidden in the well.” People gathered, but the well was deep and dark. No one dared to go inside.

The matter reached Emperor Akbar. Akbar said to Birbal, “Birbal, do something about this quarrel and the proof that has fallen into the well.”

Birbal reached the village well. He looked carefully inside. Then he took a long rope, a small basket and a lighted lamp. He safely fixed the lamp in the basket and slowly lowered it into the well. The light made the bottom of the well clearly visible.

Birbal fixed a hook to a long bamboo and gently pulled the locket out. When the locket came up, Ramu’s grandfather’s name was clearly written on it.

Birbal showed the locket in the court and said, “Your Majesty, the truth was hidden in the well. Now it has come out in front of everyone.”

Akbar gave the judgment that the field would remain with Ramu. Shyamu also bowed his head and accepted it.