Emperor Akbar was immensely impressed with Birbal's wisdom and greatly enjoyed his quick wit. One fine day, the Emperor got exceptionally pleased by Birbal and promised to reward him with many expensive gifts. However, several days passed and yet the Emperor did not give anything to Birbal. Birbal was very disappointed with the king for not keeping his promise.
One day, when Akbar was strolling down the bank of Yamuna with Birbal, he happened to notice a camel sitting there idly. A strange query came into the Emperor’s mind and he asked Birbal, "Tell me Birbal, why is the camel's neck crooked?"
Birbal thought for a while and then replied, "Your Majesty, perhaps the camel has forgotten to honor his promise made to somebody. It is mentioned in our holy books that those who break their promises get punished with a crooked neck. I believe that it is for this reason that the camel has a crooked neck."
Akbar soon realized that he had also not fulfilled his promise to give some gifts to Birbal. As soon as they arrived at the palace, Emperor Akbar gave Birbal all the expensive
Chapter 3 (Akbar's Dream)
One night, Emperor Akbar dreamt that he had lost all his teeth, except one. He was greatly disturbed with the strange dream. The next morning he summoned all the astrologers of his kingdom and asked them to interpret his dream.
All the astrologers held a meeting and after a long discussion, the astrologers prophesised that his dream was an indication that all his relatives would die before him.
Akbar was greatly distressed by this interpretation and so he sent away all the astrologers without any reward.
Later that day, the Emperor happened to meet Birbal. He narrated his dream to Birbal and asked him to interpret it. He also told him what the astrologers had told him.
Birbal thought for a while and said, “It means, Alampanah, you will live a longer & more fulfilled life than any of your relatives."
Akbar cheered up when he heard Birbal's version and rewarded him handsomely.
Birbal had also conveyed the same thing as the astrologers to the Emperor, but in an intelligent manner.