The story of “The Tub of Milk” is one of the famous tales featuring Emperor Akbar and his witty minister, Birbal. It goes like this.
Once, Emperor Akbar was conversing with his courtiers about the nature of human beings. He expressed his skepticism, saying, “People are inherently selfish and only think about themselves.”
Birbal, always ready to challenge the emperor’s beliefs, disagreed. He said, “Your Majesty, I believe that there are still many good-hearted and selfless individuals in this world.”
Akbar was intrigued by Birbal’s assertion and decided to test it. He ordered Birbal to find someone truly selfless in his kingdom and bring them to the court as proof.
Birbal accepted the challenge and set out on his mission. After searching far and wide, he finally found a poor farmer named Ramu who lived in a small village.
Birbal approached Ramu and explained the situation to him. He said, “Ramu, the emperor has challenged me to find someone who is truly selfless. I believe you are that person, and I need your help to prove it.”
Ramu, a humble and kind-hearted man, agreed to assist Birbal without hesitation. He followed Birbal to the royal court, where Akbar was eagerly awaiting their arrival.
When they reached the court, Akbar presented Ramu with a large tub filled to the brim with milk. He said, “Ramu, I want you to carry this tub of milk through the crowded marketplace without spilling a single drop. If you can do this, I will reward you handsomely.”
Ramu accepted the challenge and carefully lifted the heavy tub of milk onto his head. He walked through the bustling marketplace, navigating through the crowds with ease.
To everyone’s amazement, Ramu managed to carry the tub of milk all the way to the other side of the marketplace without spilling a single drop.
Akbar was impressed by Ramu’s feat and asked him how he had managed to accomplish it. Ramu replied, “Your Majesty, as I walked through the marketplace, I focused all my attention on the milk and blocked out everything else. I did not let any distractions or thoughts of reward cloud my mind. I simply did what needed to be done.”
Akbar was moved by Ramu’s selflessness and awarded him with a bag of gold coins. He realized that there were indeed people like Ramu who embodied true kindness and generosity.
The story of “The Tub of Milk” became a lesson for Akbar and his courtiers about the power of selflessness and the ability of ordinary individuals to perform extraordinary acts of kindness. It also showcased Birbal’s cleverness in finding and highlighting the virtues of people from all walks of life.
