Turning A Donkey Into A Horse

Turning a Donkey Into a Horse is a story of Akbar and Birbal

One day, Emperor Akbar and Birbal went for a walk. At sundown Birbal sat down on the river – bank and performed the Hindu ritual of ‘sandhya’. The Emperor saw it and asked Birbal, “Birbal, teach me how to perform sandhya”.

Birbal said, “Your Majesty, only the Brahmins have the right to perform ‘sandhya’ and not others.”

“Then, make me a Brahmin, Emperor Akbar said.

Birbal replied, “No, sir, it is not possible!” The Emperor insisted, “Why is it not possible? For me, everything is possible!”

Birbal was in a fix. But, for the time being, he said,” Please give me some time for this.”

The Emperor agreed. But after a few days, the Emperor again reminded Birbal of his promise. Finally, after much thinking, an idea occurred to Birbal.

He called a potter and said to him,” Tomorrow evening, you come to the riverside with your donkey. Then, bathe him by scrubbing him vigorously. The Emperor and I will come there at that time. When we will ask, “What are you doing? You say, “I am changing this donkey into a horse!”

Accordingly, the next day, the potter came to the river 78 bank with his donkey. He started washing him and scrubbed him with a brush. As decided, Birbal took the Emperor to that place. The Emperor happened to notice the strange sight. He was quite surprised and asked the potter, “What are you doing?

“Sir, I am changing my donkey into a horse,” he replied politely. The Emperor started laughing on hearing this. He said to Birbal, “This man appears mad to me. Can anyone change a donkey into a horse?

Birbal said, “Your Majesty if one cannot change a donkey into a horse, how is it possible to convert a Muslim into a Brahmin?”

The Emperor was convinced and said, “Birbal, you are right! “and he gave up his wish to learn to perform ‘sandhya.’

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