akbar and birbal

akbar'scourt was crowded as usual.the emperor has just finished a serious discussion about state

affairs. he wanted some relaxation. akbar also wantedto test his courtiers.he looked at his cortiersand

suddenly asked''how many pigens are there in the city of agra''?.every one was very surprised to hear this

unexpected questeion from the emperor. none of the courtires knew what the reply. they knew that the emperor would be very displeased if they laughted or said anything worng.
so'they all kept quite.
emperor akbar looked at birbal.''birbal!can you tell us how many pigeons are in the city of agra?''
he asked .'' o lord!ther are twenty-one thousand and eight,pigeons in agra.''birbal repalied at once.

''how do you know the exat number?suppose there are more than the figure you given?'' asked akbar.''if there are more pigeons than the number i have

stated,it must be because many other pigeone must have come to stay with their relatives in agra.''birbal

explained promptly.''what!if there are less than twety-one thousand six hunderedand eight pigeone?''

the emperor asked again.

''in that case, some pigeons must have gone some where for a holiday''.birbal replied solemnly,''wellsaid!,birbal!''

the emperor clapped his hand.''you can always comeup with a sensible anwswer''.