One day, Emperor Akbar argued with Birbal, claiming that there were very few blind people in their kingdom. Birbal disagreed, asserting that those who possessed sight but failed to see were more numerous than the truly blind. To prove his point, Birbal sat in the middle of a busy marketplace the next day and began weaving a bamboo cot. As people passed by, they stopped and asked, 'Birbal, what are you doing?' Birbal would simply smile and write their names on a long list. Even Emperor Akbar eventually arrived and, seeing Birbal at work, asked, 'Birbal, what on earth are you doing?' Birbal silently added the Emperor's name to his list. When Akbar demanded an explanation, Birbal revealed the list of 'blind' people—those who saw him weaving yet still asked what he was doing. Akbar realized that having eyes is not the same as using them to observe.
True sight is not just about having eyes, but about using one's observation and common sense to perceive the obvious.
Questions about this story
What is the moral of Birbal and the Blind Man?
The moral is that many people possess physical sight but lack true observation. It teaches us to use our common sense to understand what is happening right in front of our eyes.
How did Birbal define 'blind' in this story?
Birbal defined blind people as those who asked him what he was doing despite clearly seeing him weaving a cot. He argued that if they had to ask the obvious, their eyes were not truly serving them.
What was Birbal making in the marketplace?
Birbal was weaving a traditional Indian cot, known as a charpoy, using bamboo and rope. He chose this common task because it was easily recognizable to anyone walking by.
Was Emperor Akbar's name on Birbal's list?
Yes, Akbar's name was added to the list. Like the other citizens, the Emperor saw Birbal weaving but still asked the unnecessary question, 'What are you doing?'
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Good night.
