The Royal Touch Story

One day an old woman and her widow daughter-in-law arrived at Birbal’s doorstep. The old woman said to him, “Sir, my son has passed away recently. He had been a soldier in the royal army for the last two decades. After his death, we are in trouble. Please help us out.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that,” Birbal said. “Our king, Akbar, is very just and merciful. Just do what I say and you’ll get your dues.”

The next morning both the woman and her daughter-in-law presented themselves in the royal court. The old woman had an old sword in her hand. Raising it up, she said to Akbar, “Your Majesty, my son has fought many battles with this sword. Please keep it.”

The king took the sword and examined it. He said, “This is an old rusty sword and it’s of no use to us.”

Handing it to a servant, he said, “Give it back to the old woman with five gold coins.”

Birbal was taken aback. He said, “Your Majesty, may I see the sword.”

Taking it from the hand of the King, he examined the sword closely.

King Akbar inquired, “What's the matter, Birbal?”

“Your Majesty, I am sure that once this rusty old sword would receive the royal touch, it would surely turn to gold. I wonder why your merciful hands have had no effect on it.”

King Akbar understood what Birbal was trying to say. So he ordered his servant, “Weigh the sword and give the gold coins to the old woman equal in weight to the sword.”

The two women thanked King Akbar and blessed Birbal before leaving the court.