As you know that Birbal was a very intelligent man in King Akbar's court. So people used to be very jealous with him and always thought to degrade him before the King. The Kaazee of that city was also jealous with him. One day he planned thus: He brought twelve bags filled with silver coins, kept them in front of the King and spoke, "Sarkaar, I am in a very big flux."

Akbar asked him what was it? Kaazee said stammering slowly, "One of my friends has bet me. If I am defeated in the bet, then I will have to leave the country. And since I have not been able to solve my problem, I am very much worried as what will happen to me when the time comes and I will be defeated."

Akbar said very politely, "Tell us Kaazee Jee, what is your problem. We will try our best to solve your problem and will not let you leave this country." Kaazee said, "Huzoor, my friend has given me these twelve bags filled with silver coins. These bags are numbered from 1 to 12. Out of these twelve bags, eleven bags contain the coins of one Tolaa (an old Indian measure for weighing small amount of precious metals and medicines etc., equals to about 11 and 1/2 gram) each, and the twelfth bag has coins of a little lighter weight. I have to weigh only once and tell him that which bag contains lighter weight coins. If I win this bet, then I will get this whole money too, and if I lose, then I will have to leave this country."

Akbar said, "Kaazee Jee, We have a very intelligent man in our court, that is Birbal. Maybe he can find the solution for your problem." Hearing this, Kaazee put the same bet with Birbal too, that if Birbal can tell him which bag contains the lighter weight coins only by weighing them once, the whole money will be his, otherwise Birbal will have to leave the country.

Akbar called Birbal and explained Kaazee's bet. Birbal said, "This is very easy." And Birbal started muttering. King got worried, that if somehow Birbal could not solve the problem then he will have to leave the country. And he has to lose his very good advisor. Suddenly Birbal smiled and asked for a good scale. He took out one coin from Bag No 1, two coins from Bag No 2, three coins from bag No 3 and so on, and thus twelve coins from Bag No 12. He weighed all the coins together. They weighed 77 Tolaa plus. He said, "Huzoor! Bag No 4 contains light weighed coins."

Thus Birbal won and he got all the money, and Kaazi returned to his home losing all the money.

NOW HOW BIRBAL DID THAT? Do you want to know it? Go to answer page.

The End