The Judge’s Hat

One day, during a discussion in court, Emperor Akbar raised a thoughtful question:
“What makes a judge truly fair and just?”

The courtiers offered different answers wisdom, experience, knowledge of the law. But Akbar wasn’t satisfied. He turned to Birbal for a deeper insight.

Birbal smiled and requested a small demonstration. He called in a respected court judge and handed him a peculiar hat large, heavy, and lined with prickly fabric inside.

“Wear this,” Birbal said gently, “and then settle a small dispute I’ll present to you.”

The judge, confused but obedient, placed the hat on his head. It was uncomfortable, weighing on him and irritating his skin. Still, Birbal presented a simple property disagreement between two villagers.

The judge, eager to remove the discomfort, rushed through the case and gave a quick ruling without deep questioning. The villagers seemed unsatisfied, and Birbal turned to Akbar.

“Your Majesty,” Birbal said, “you asked what makes a judge fair. It is not just wisdom or law, but patience and presence of mind, even under pressure. When distracted by discomfort or personal inconvenience, a judge may rush and justice may suffer.”

He removed the hat from the judge, who sighed in relief and nodded in understanding.

Akbar clapped his hands with a smile. “Indeed, justice must not be swayed by haste, pain, or pressure. Thank you, Birbal, for showing us this truth so clearly.”

Moral: True justice requires calm and patience, even in the face of discomfort or urgency.