The Missing Shadow

One day, a clever thief was caught and brought before Emperor Akbar’s court. The evidence against him was strong, but the thief had a strange defense.

“I am innocent,” he declared boldly. “I wasn’t at the scene of the crime because no one saw my shadow there!”

The court buzzed with murmurs, some amused, others confused. Akbar, though intrigued, looked to Birbal for judgment.

Birbal stood, thoughtful, then said with a straight face, “Very well. If your shadow was not there, then it must be your shadow that committed the crime. Let your shadow come forward and face trial in your place.”

The court burst into laughter. The thief’s smirk faded as he realized the absurdity of his own argument.

Birbal turned to him and added, “You can hide from the light, but not from the truth. Whether in sunlight or darkness, your actions follow you shadow or no shadow.”

Akbar smiled in satisfaction. “Justice is not fooled by clever words,” he said, and the thief was held accountable.

Moral: Excuses may hide in shadows, but actions always come to light.