The Talking Painting

One day, a painter arrived at Emperor Akbar’s court, boasting of a masterpiece he had recently completed.

“Jahanpanah,” he proclaimed, “my painting is so lifelike, it can speak!”

The court buzzed with curiosity. Some laughed, others looked intrigued. Akbar, always amused by bold claims, raised an eyebrow and said, “Very well, bring this talking painting tomorrow. We shall hear it ourselves.”

The next day, the painter returned with a beautiful canvas showing a majestic horse standing in a lush field. The colors were vivid, the brushwork flawless.

“This is my masterpiece,” he said proudly. “If it could speak, it would say, ‘I am hungry.’”

The court waited in silence. The horse, of course, said nothing.

Before Akbar could respond, Birbal stepped forward. “Ah,” he said thoughtfully, “If your painting can speak, then surely it can also eat. Let us bring some grass and wait.”

The courtiers burst into laughter. Even Akbar couldn’t help but chuckle.

Birbal continued, “Your painting is indeed beautiful let it be praised for what it is, not for what it isn’t. Art speaks to the heart, not with a voice. But claiming magic where there is none only invites mockery.”

The painter, embarrassed but wiser, bowed in acceptance.

Moral: Let truth be enough wild boasts collapse when faced with reason.