The Queen’s Mirror

One peaceful afternoon, Queen Jodha Bai sat in her chamber admiring an ornate hand mirror gifted by a distant kingdom. Its frame was studded with jewels, and the glass was so clear it captured every detail. She was pleased with its beauty but curious to know what others would see through it.

When Birbal visited the royal chamber that day, the Queen handed him the mirror and asked, “Tell me, Birbal… what do you see in this mirror?”

Birbal looked into the mirror for a moment, then turned to her and answered with a gentle smile, “I see a heart that rules more gently and wisely than any throne ever could.”

The Queen paused, surprised not by flattery, but by the sincerity in his words.

Birbal continued, “This mirror does not just reflect the face, Rani Sahiba. It reflects the kindness behind it. And in yours, there is compassion, strength, and grace the true jewels of royalty.”

Deeply touched, the Queen handed the mirror back to Birbal. “Then let it belong to the one who truly sees,” she said, gifting it to him with a smile.

Later, when Akbar heard of the exchange, he nodded and said, “Once again, Birbal has shown us that the clearest mirror reflects not appearance but essence.”

Moral: True beauty is not what the mirror shows, but what shines behind it the goodness of the heart.