The Green Horse

Emperor Akbar and his favorite minister, Birbal, were taking a leisurely ride through the royal gardens. The garden was lush and beautiful, filled with vibrant green trees and soft green grass. Akbar looked around and felt very peaceful. “Green is such a soothing color,” he remarked. “It makes the eyes happy.”

Suddenly, a strange idea popped into the Emperor’s head. He loved to test Birbal’s wit. He stopped his horse and looked at Birbal. “Birbal,” said Akbar seriously, “I am tired of riding this brown horse. I want a green horse. A bright green horse that matches this garden.” Birbal smiled. “A green horse, Your Majesty? I have never seen such a creature.” “Well, find one!” ordered Akbar. “I give you one week. If you cannot show me a green horse by next week, do not show me your face!”

Akbar knew very well that green horses did not exist. He just wanted to see what excuse Birbal would come up with. Birbal didn’t argue. He bowed low. “As you wish, Jahanpanah (Protector of the World). I will go and search for this rare beast.”

For the next seven days, Birbal wandered around the city. He didn’t actually look for a horse, of course. He stayed at home, played with his children, and read books. He enjoyed his holiday. On the eighth day, he went back to the palace. He looked very tired and dusty, as if he had traveled far.

Akbar was sitting on his throne. “Well, Birbal?” he asked, hiding a smile. “Did you find my green horse?” “Yes, Your Majesty!” exclaimed Birbal. “I found him! He is magnificent. His coat shines like an emerald.” Akbar sat up straight, surprised. “You found one? Where is it? Bring it here at once!”

“Ah,” said Birbal, raising a finger. “I cannot bring him yet. The owner of the green horse is a very strange wizard. He has agreed to sell the horse to you, but he has two simple conditions.” “Conditions?” asked Akbar. “I am the Emperor! I can fulfill any condition. Tell me.”

“The first condition,” said Birbal, “is that you must go to fetch the horse yourself. You cannot send a servant.” “That is easy,” said Akbar. “I will go. What is the second condition?”

Birbal paused for dramatic effect. “The second condition is about the day you pick it up,” said Birbal. “The owner says that since a green horse is so special and rare, you cannot pick it up on an ordinary day. You cannot go on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.” Birbal smiled mischievously. “You must go on any other day of the week to get the horse.”

Akbar stared at Birbal. He counted the days on his fingers. Sunday, Monday… Saturday. “But Birbal!” laughed Akbar. “There are only seven days in a week! How can I go on ‘another’ day?”

“Exactly, Your Majesty,” said Birbal calmly. “If you want a special horse that does not exist, you must fetch it on a special day that does not exist.”

Emperor Akbar burst into laughter. He was delighted by Birbal’s answer. He took off his own pearl necklace and gave it to Birbal as a reward. “You are impossible to beat, Birbal,” said the Emperor. “The green horse stays in your imagination, and the necklace stays around your neck!”

Moral of the Story: A foolish question deserves a witty answer. Intelligence can solve even impossible demands.

Moral of the Story: Witty answers can solve impossible problems.