The Cracked Cup

One morning in the royal dining hall, a nervous servant accidentally dropped a finely crafted cup. Though it didn’t shatter, a visible crack ran along its side. Terrified of being punished, the servant quickly cleaned it and applied a shiny layer of polish to hide the damage.

Later that day, the cup was placed before Emperor Akbar. As he reached for it, Birbal’s sharp eyes noticed something unusual.

He examined the cup closely and said, “Your Majesty, this cup is cracked but the crack has been covered with polish.”

Akbar looked surprised. “Is that so? Why would someone try to hide it instead of informing us?”

Birbal turned to the court and explained calmly, “Because fear often makes us hide our flaws. But polishing over a crack doesn’t make it disappear. It only makes the break deeper over time. If ignored, this small crack could grow until the entire cup breaks.”

He continued, “Mistakes, when hidden, grow in silence. But when admitted, they offer a chance to repair, learn, and grow stronger.”

The servant, standing nearby, stepped forward and confessed tearfully. “I was afraid, Huzoor. I thought hiding it was better than admitting my fault.”

Akbar looked at him and said gently, “You made a mistake but honesty earns forgiveness.”

He then turned to Birbal and nodded. “Wise as always. Better to mend a flaw with truth than mask it with fear.”

Moral: Hiding mistakes does not erase them admitting them is the first step to growth.