The Ladder of Stones

One day, during open court, a weary man approached Emperor Akbar, his face heavy with sorrow.

“Jahanpanah,” he sighed, “my life is full of problems. Every time I overcome one, another takes its place. I feel cursed as if these burdens are pulling me down.”

Akbar turned to Birbal. “What advice would you give him?”

Without speaking, Birbal walked to the courtyard, gathered a few large stones, and began stacking them one on top of the other until he had built a small uneven tower. Then, he climbed to the top of the stack and stood proudly above the crowd.

The man watched, puzzled.

Birbal smiled and said, “These stones are like your problems heavy, rough, and unwanted. But instead of letting them bury me, I used them to rise. Your troubles, too, can lift you if you choose to climb instead of curse them.”

The man lowered his head, understanding the message. “So… even my burdens can become steps?”

“Yes,” Birbal replied. “Pain teaches strength, loss teaches value, and failure teaches wisdom. Every problem is a stone only you can decide whether it’s an obstacle or a step upward.”

Akbar clapped his hands, pleased. “Well said, Birbal. A wise man builds his future even from the weight of his past.”

Moral: Life’s problems can pull you down or raise you up. It depends on how you face them.