The story of the boy in the mango orchard is a classic tale of wit and wisdom attributed to the legendary duo of Emperor Akbar and his trusted advisor, Birbal. Here’s how it goes.
One hot summer day, Emperor Akbar and Birbal decided to take a stroll through the royal gardens. As they wandered through the lush mango orchard, they noticed a young boy sitting under a tree, surrounded by mangoes.
Curious, Akbar approached the boy and asked, “Young man, why are you sitting here all alone in the orchard?”
The boy replied with a smile, “Your Majesty, I am here to guard these mangoes. My father instructed me to protect them from thieves and ensure that none are stolen.”
Akbar was intrigued by the boy’s dedication and asked, “But how can you guard all these mangoes by yourself? There are so many trees and fruits here.”
The boy thought for a moment and then replied, “Your Majesty, I have a clever solution. I will tie a rope around my waist and attach it to the tree. This way, if anyone tries to steal the mangoes, I will be alerted, and they won’t be able to escape.”
Akbar and Birbal were amused by the boy’s ingenuity but decided to test his resolve. Birbal whispered something to Akbar, and they both walked away, pretending to leave the orchard.
As soon as they were out of sight, Birbal turned to Akbar and said, “Your Majesty, let’s put the boy’s plan to the test. I will climb one of the trees and pretend to steal a mango. We’ll see how the boy reacts.”
Agreeing to the plan, Akbar and Birbal hid behind a bush while Birbal climbed one of the trees and plucked a mango.
Sure enough, as soon as the boy felt the tug on the rope tied to his waist, he jumped to his feet and shouted, “Thief! Thief! Stop right there!”
Birbal immediately dropped the mango and emerged from behind the tree, laughing. Akbar and Birbal applauded the boy for his quick thinking and dedication to his duty.
Impressed by the boy’s cleverness, Akbar rewarded him with a bag of gold coins and praised him for his vigilance in protecting the mango orchard.
The story of the boy in the mango orchard became a timeless example of intelligence and resourcefulness, showcasing the importance of thinking outside the box and finding creative solutions to challenges.
