The King’s Mirror

Every morning, Emperor Akbar had a habit he would stand before a grand mirror in his chamber, admiring his royal robes and jeweled crown. The mirror reflected power, grace, and the pride of an emperor. The courtiers noticed it, but none dared speak about it.

Birbal, always mindful of the balance between confidence and ego, decided to offer a gentle lesson.

One morning, before the emperor arrived, Birbal quietly replaced the flawless mirror with an old, slightly cracked one. When Akbar looked into it, he paused. The familiar image was now broken the crown was still there, but the cracks distorted his reflection.

Startled, he turned to Birbal. “What is this, Birbal? Why replace my mirror with a damaged one?”

Birbal bowed respectfully. “Jahanpanah, this cracked mirror holds deeper truth. While the perfect mirror shows beauty and power, this one reminds us that no matter how high we rise, we remain human imperfect, and in need of humility. True greatness lies not in what we see, but in how we serve.”

Akbar looked at the cracked mirror again, and a soft smile appeared on his face. “You’ve given me a better reflection today, Birbal not of my crown, but of my character.”

Moral: A cracked mirror reveals what pride conceals the need for humility.