Empty Jungles

Emperor Akbar was fond of hunting. It was causing a great loss to the jungles of the kingdom. The number of animals in the forest began to drop down rapidly. Birbal was sad and disappointed over the development. He wanted to bring the thing to his attention.

One day, Akbar went to a forest with his cavalcade for hunting. Birbal was also there with the Emperor. He pretended as if he understood birds’ language.

On the way they saw a group of parrots twittering aloud. The Emperor asked, "Birbal! You understand the language of the birds. Can you tell me what the birds are talking about?"

Birbal pretended to hear them peacefully. Then he said, "My lord! This group of parrots is discussing about the marriage formalities. The groom's father wants five jungles,



which are totally without birds and animals, as dowry. The bride's father is happily assuring him that he will be giving not only five but ten empty jungles as dowry."

Akbar became curious to know the conversation further. So he asked, "Then what is the groom's father saying?"



Birbal replied, "My lord! Groom's father asked how he can get ten barren forests as there are not so many empty jungles."

Birbal said further, "The bride's father is assuring the groom's father that there will not be any problem in getting ten empty jungles because the Emperor of the 1kingdom likes hunting and his hobby will soon empty a few more forests from its animals and birds.”
The Emperor understood Birbal’s hidden message in his words. He became very sad to cause great harm to the forests. He immediately stopped going for hunting instead started to play chess with him during his leisure time.