Emperor Akbar’s jealous courtiers and his personal barber hatched a sinister plot to eliminate Birbal. The barber told the Emperor that his deceased father had appeared in his dream, complaining that there were no barbers in heaven to trim his beard. He suggested that Birbal was the only person clever enough to find the way to heaven and serve the ancestors. Birbal immediately sensed a trap but calmly agreed, requesting one month to prepare for the 'journey.' During that time, Birbal secretly dug a hidden tunnel from his house to the spot where his funeral pyre would be lit. On the appointed day, Birbal was buried alive under a heap of wood and set on fire. While the courtiers rejoiced, Birbal escaped through the tunnel and hid in his house for months, letting his hair and beard grow long and wild. One day, he returned to the court looking disheveled. When a shocked Akbar asked about his journey, Birbal replied, 'Your Majesty, heaven is magnificent, but there are no barbers there. As you can see, I had to return to get a haircut!' Realizing the barber's trickery, Akbar punished the conspirators and rewarded Birbal's wit.
Malice and envy will eventually lead to your own downfall, while wit can overcome even the most dangerous traps.
Advertisement
Questions about this story
What is the moral of Birbal's Journey to Heaven?
The moral is that those who plot the downfall of others often fall into their own traps. It also highlights how presence of mind and cleverness can save one from even the most life-threatening situations.
How did Birbal survive the fire in the story?
Birbal survived by digging a secret underground tunnel from his home to the cremation site before the event. When the pyre was lit, he escaped through the tunnel and remained in hiding until his hair grew long.
Why did the barber want to send Birbal to heaven?
The barber was part of a group of jealous courtiers who wanted to get rid of Birbal permanently. They knew that if he were 'sent to heaven' via a funeral pyre, he would likely die, removing him as the Emperor's favorite.
What excuse did Birbal give for his return?
Birbal told Emperor Akbar that while heaven was beautiful, it lacked any barbers. He claimed he had to return to Earth because his beard and hair had grown too long and untidy without professional grooming.
Advertisement
