For several days, small valuable things had been disappearing from the palace treasury. Sometimes a small gold box, sometimes a shiny necklace. The guards kept watch all night, but the thief was never caught.
Emperor Akbar became very worried. He called Birbal and said, “Birbal, this thief is very clever. Think of some plan.”
Birbal replied calmly, “Your Majesty, sometimes the most unique trick is the most effective in catching a thief. Please give me one night.”
The next night Birbal prepared a new plan. He placed the remaining precious items in the centre of the treasury room. Then he called all the palace servants, guards and possible suspects into the same room. He made them stand in a big circle and said, “Tonight everyone will hold each other’s hands and stand still. Keep your eyes closed. I am putting out the lamp. If anyone leaves the hand and moves towards the treasure, he will be the thief.”
The room became completely dark. Everyone stood holding hands. For a long time there was silence. Suddenly there was a slight movement. Someone had let go of the hand.
Birbal immediately lit the lamp. In the light, it was clear that one servant’s right hand was free and he was secretly moving towards the treasure. In the same hand, he was holding a small gold box.
The thief was caught! He was shocked that such a simple trick had trapped him.
Akbar laughed loudly and said, “Birbal, this trick was truly unique! Holding hands in the dark… wonderful!”
Birbal smiled and replied, “Your Majesty, a thief always works alone. When everyone is connected to each other, the one who is alone automatically comes into the open.”
From that day on, no theft ever happened in the palace again.
Moral: When everyone stays united and holds on to each other, the wrongdoer gets caught on his own.