Emptying the Cage

Sham S. Misri

In olden days there was a custom to send gift from one Emperor to another. Once, the Emperor of Burma sent a cage with artificial Tiger statue inside it to Emperor Akbar. The statue was beautifully carved but the cage was locked from all the sides, there was no gate or way to take out the tiger.

As the people of the court were observing and praising the tiger, the messenger from Burma handed over the letter to the emperor Akbar. The Burman Emperor had written that if anyone in the court of Akbar would empty the iron cage without breaking it, he would be rewarded heavily for his intelligence.

It was a challenge for Akbar. So Akbar asked all his courtiers to apply their brain. One day all the courtiers came and observed the cage from all the sides. They were in search of a hidden gate from where the Tiger could be removed. But there was none. They were tired and disappointed. They all reached on the same conclusion that without breaking the cage, it could not be emptied.

Now it was a question of pride for Akbar. He looked hopefully towards Birbal. At this point Birbal got up from his seat and came close to the cage. He observed the tiger keenly then he lifted the cage slightly to ascertain the material used for making the tiger.

Then the wise man asked the servants to bring the fire and long iron shovel. Birbal heated the shovel red hot and placed it inside the cage near the tiger. The heat caused the statue melt. The tiger was of wax. Birbal repeated the action and soon the cage was empty. A big heap of wax was collected on the floor.

Everyone present in the court praised the wisdom of Birbal. Akbar was especially grateful to him as he had saved his honor.

The messenger of Burma presented rich reward to Birbal that were sent by the Burman Emperor.