The Bowl of Truth

One day, Emperor Akbar wished to test the sincerity and sense of duty among his ministers. Gathering them in the royal court, he made a simple request.

“Tonight,” he said, “each of you must quietly pour one glass of milk into the large bowl I will place in the palace garden. Do it in secrecy no one will watch you, and you will not be questioned.”

The ministers agreed readily and nodded in obedience. That night, one by one, they approached the garden under the cover of darkness, each assuming the others would fulfill the emperor’s order.

But when morning came and Akbar inspected the bowl, he was stunned. It was full to the brim but not with milk.

It was clear, transparent water.

Akbar shook his head and laughed but there was sadness in his voice. “So,” he said, “each of you thought, ‘One glass of water won’t make a difference if everyone else pours milk.’ And this,” he continued, gesturing toward the bowl, “is the result.”

The ministers stood silently, faces downcast.

Birbal stepped forward, his voice calm but pointed. “When responsibility is shared but not truly accepted, it disappears. Everyone waits for others to do the right thing and in the end, no one does.”

Akbar looked around the court. “A society fails when its people expect others to carry the weight of virtue.”

The ministers, humbled, bowed their heads in realization.

Moral: When everyone avoids doing their part, good deeds are left undone.