The Floating Candle

One evening, as the sun dipped below the horizon, Emperor Akbar and Birbal walked along the banks of a quiet river near the palace. The mood was somber a minister had recently given up on a difficult task, saying the situation was “too turbulent to succeed.”

Akbar turned to Birbal and asked, “Is there truly no way to succeed when the waters of life grow rough?”

Birbal said nothing. Instead, he picked up a broad leaf, placed a small lit candle on it, and gently set it afloat on the river.

Akbar watched in silence as the candle bobbed up and down, trembling with each ripple, yet never going out. The tiny flame continued to glow, even as the current carried it forward.

Finally, Akbar asked, “Why did you do that?”

Birbal smiled, “To show, Jahanpanah, that even a fragile light can cross turbulent waters. Challenges will shake us, but they need not extinguish our inner flame. Even in struggle, we can still shine.”

Akbar nodded thoughtfully. “A small flame with purpose,” he said, “can survive even the wildest currents.”

Moral: Your strength lies not in avoiding hardship, but in staying lit through the storm.