The Sweet Truth Story
Birbal’s neighbor, Karim was crazy about knowing his future. He often had invited fortune-tellers and palmists to know what the future held for him. One morning as Birbal was strolling in his garden.
He heard Karim’s loud voice, “Go away, you cheat. You know nothing about fortune-telling. Don’t try to come this way again.”
Birbal saw that Karim was pushing a fortune-teller out of his gate. Birbal went to the fortune-teller and asked, “What did you say to make Karim angry?”
"Sir, I merely looked at his palm and told him that all his relatives would die before him and then….”
“Ah! Then he pushed you out.”
“Yes Sir. I guess he could not digest the bitter truth but I do not and cannot lie about such things.”
“Oh! You are honest and truthful and that’s a good quality indeed. But you know that truth is always bitter. You must now offer him ‘sweet’ truth.”
“Sweet truth! How do I do that?”
“Here’s how,” said Birbal and whispered a plan in the fortune-teller’s ears.
The next day, the fortune-teller disguised himself as an old man. He approached Karim’s doorstep. Karim saw him and came out. The fortune-teller exclaimed, “Oh sir! What grand personality you have. Can I read your palm, please?”
“Oh yes, please do come inside,” Karim replied.
The fortune-teller studied Karim’s palm and said, “What great fortunes you have! You have a very long and prosperous life ahead of you. In fact, you will certainly outlive all your friends and relatives.”
“Is that true? And that foolish fortune-teller yesterday.”
“Oh! Let him be. I am so happy to hear what you told me. Please feel free to pay more visits in the future.”
Then Karim went in and returned with a bag full of gold coins. “Please accept this from my side. Do visit me sometime. I will eagerly look forward to it.”
The fortune-teller took the gold coins and went away happily. He went to Birbal and said, “Oh, Sir! I really didn’t know that more than the truth, it’s how you present it that counts!”
This is the way people all over the world hear about the truths about them. What we have to say are only the truths. But, we have to say the same truth in a sweet-coated way so that they will be pleased at the first instance and they will realize later on what is the total truth.