The Ox in the Library

One quiet afternoon, in the grand palace library where scholars and ministers came to read rare scrolls and study ancient wisdom, an old villager walked in dusty, tired, and leading an ox.

The guards quickly stopped him, confused and irritated. “This is a place of books and learning,” they snapped. “Why have you come here with an animal?”

The villager, humble and honest, said, “I saw this beautiful building open to all. I thought if it held so much knowledge, perhaps someone could tell me where to find grass for my ox. He is hungry.”

The guards laughed loudly, mocking him for mistaking the royal library for a barn.

Just then, Birbal, who had been nearby, overheard the commotion and walked over. He calmed the guards and invited the man inside.

He said warmly, “This library holds food for the mind, but your ox needs food for the body both needs are real and deserving.”

Later, Birbal shared the incident with Akbar and added, “A kingdom that only feeds minds but forgets the hungry is not truly wise. True greatness lies in caring for both knowledge and kindness.”

Akbar was deeply moved. From that day, he ordered a food station to be set up beside the library one that would offer food and water freely to villagers, animals, and travelers alike.

Moral: Wisdom is not complete unless it serves both the heart and the hungry.