The Royal Inquiry

One day, Emperor Akbar posed a question to Birbal:
'Birbal, what is ignorance?'

Birbal smiled and replied:
'Your Majesty, grant me a four-day leave. I will show you a practical example.'

Akbar granted him the leave.

Birbal's Plan

Birbal approached a cobbler and said:
'Brother, make me a shoe. No need for measurements. Just make it one and a half feet long and one foot wide. Adorn it with gold and silver threads and precious stones.'

The cobbler was astonished but complied with the request.
Birbal paid him and kept one shoe for himself, placing the other in a mosque.

The Miracle in the Mosque

The next morning, a cleric saw the shoe and exclaimed:
'This must be a shoe of Allah!'

He placed it on his forehead, set it on his head, and kissed it.
Others began to do the same.

Gradually, the news reached Akbar.
He too followed suit and ordered that the shoe be treated with respect in the mosque.

Unveiling the Truth

A few days later, Birbal returned.
He showed Akbar the other shoe and said:
'Your Majesty, our ancestor's old shoe has been stolen. This is the only one left.'

Akbar examined both shoes and, filled with shame, began to lament.

Birbal's Message

Birbal remarked:
'Your Majesty, this is ignorance.
When there is a lack of knowledge and people follow blindly, that is superstition.'

The Moral

The Lesson

Superstition arises where there is a lack of knowledge.
The recognition of reason and truth guides a person on the right path.