The Rooster and the Hens – Akbar Birbal Story for Kids

Emperor Akbar loved to spend time with his wise minister, Birbal. But sometimes, he just wanted to play pranks on him. One fine morning, as the sun shone over the Red Fort, Akbar came up with a cheeky plan. He called all his courtiers (except Birbal) to a secret meeting. “Listen carefully,” whispered the Emperor. “I want to have some fun with Birbal today. I have a mission for you.” He handed one egg to each minister. “Hide this egg in your pocket. When I ask you to go to the Royal Pond to show your loyalty, you must jump in, pretend to search, and then come out holding this egg. Do you understand?” The ministers giggled. “Yes, Your Majesty! It will be a great joke.”

Later that morning, the court was in session. Birbal arrived, looking calm and intelligent as always. Suddenly, Akbar stood up. He looked very serious. “I had a strange dream last night,” he announced. “In my dream, a divine voice told me that my ministers are truly loyal. To prove it, the voice said that any loyal minister who jumps into the Royal Pond will successfully lay an egg!” The court was silent. Birbal raised an eyebrow. “Go!” commanded Akbar. “Go to the pond and bring me an egg to prove your loyalty!”

The ministers ran to the pond. Splash! Splash! One by one, they jumped into the cool water. They splashed around for a moment, and then, one by one, they climbed out, each holding the egg they had hidden in their clothes. “Look, Your Majesty!” said the first minister. “Here is my egg!” “And mine!” said the second. Akbar suppressed a smile. He looked at Birbal. “Well, Birbal? Everyone has proven their loyalty except you. Are you not loyal? Go and find your egg!”

Birbal knew something was fishy. Men don’t lay eggs! He knew it was a trick. But he walked confidently to the pond. He jumped in. Splash! He swam down. He searched the mud. He looked under the lily pads. Of course, there was no egg. “Ah,” thought Birbal, “The Emperor must have given them the eggs beforehand.” He needed a plan. Birbal climbed out of the water. He didn’t have an egg. He was dripping wet. The other ministers smirked, waiting for him to be embarrassed. Akbar leaned forward. “Well, Birbal? Where is your egg?”

Suddenly, Birbal flapped his arms against his sides like wings. Flap! Flap! He lifted his head to the sky and let out a loud, piercing crow: “COCK-A-DOODLE-DOO!” The sound echoed through the garden. The ministers jumped. The Emperor locked surprised. “Birbal!” laughed Akbar. “Have you gone mad? Why are you crowing like a rooster?”

Birbal bowed deeply. “Your Majesty,” he said with a twinkle in his eye, “you see, all these fine gentlemen are Hens. That is why they were able to lay eggs. But someone has to look after so many hens. I am the only Rooster in your court! And roosters do not lay eggs, they only crow!”

For a moment, there was silence. Then, Emperor Akbar burst into roaring laughter. “You are unbeatable, Birbal!” he cried. “You have turned the joke back on us!” The ministers looked at their eggs and felt silly. Birbal had won again with his quick wit.

Moral of the Story: You cannot trap a clever mind. Quick thinking can save you from any tricky situation.