The Wise Fool

One day, Akbar asked his courtiers to find a fool who could not speak the truth. The courtiers searched the kingdom for a man who would fit the description, and eventually, they brought a man who appeared to be a simpleton. When Akbar asked him, "Are you a fool?" the man confidently replied, "Yes, I am a fool." But then, to Akbar’s surprise, the man began to offer sound advice. He said, "A wise man knows when to speak and when to remain silent, but a fool speaks when he should stay quiet." The courtiers were puzzled, but Birbal, as always, had a quick explanation. "Sometimes, a person may appear foolish, but their words can contain great wisdom." Akbar, who had expected a simple answer, realized that wisdom can sometimes come from unexpected places.

Moral : Wisdom can be found in the most unlikely of places.

Summary : Akbar sought a fool who couldn't tell the truth and found a man who, though claiming to be a fool, offered wise advice. Birbal explained that wisdom can come from unexpected sources, teaching that appearances can be deceptive.