The Two Leaves

One peaceful morning, Birbal entered Emperor Akbar’s court carrying two green leaves that looked exactly the same fresh, vibrant, and full of life.

Holding them up, he asked the courtiers, “Tell me, which of these two leaves is more alive?”

The ministers leaned in and began inspecting the leaves closely. Some guessed based on the shine, others by their size or scent. One said, “This one looks fresher.” Another claimed, “This one feels softer it must be more alive.”

After hearing their answers, Birbal smiled and walked over to a nearby tree in the royal garden. He gently pointed to one of the branches where a leaf identical to the two in his hand fluttered in the breeze.

Then he said, “The difference is simple. These two leaves in my hand are already disconnected. They look alive for now, but their life is fading. The leaf on the tree, though the same in appearance, is still part of something greater it’s still living, still growing.”

He turned to Akbar and concluded, “In life too, it is not how fresh we appear, but how connected we remain to our purpose, to our people, to what gives us life that defines true living.”

Akbar nodded with quiet admiration. The court sat in reflective silence.

Moral: True life comes not from appearance, but from staying rooted in what sustains you.