Ghost in Forest and Apple in loft.
When Daddy was a kid there was a Thassu uncle living nearby. He used to tell some stories to Daddy. Daddy liked stories of Akbar and Birbal, most. One such story was this one.
Apple of the loft & Ghost of the forest.
Though King Akbar used to respect his minister Birbal much for his wits and intelligence.But once, when King saw that Birbal is critisizing all his proposals, he got envious. He thought to downgrade Birbal.
He got an Apple of clay prepared.The apple was just like a real one. Looking Very fresh, red and juicy. King kept the apple in a open loft in a gallary from where Birbal used to go daily.
Birbal really got tempted. He looked around and found nobody looking.He was not knowing that the king was keeping an eye secretly.He lifted the apple.He looked all around again. He found nobody and had a quick bite .All mud was in his mouth. He ran away hiding his mouth. Thanked his stars that no body saw him doing that stupid thing.
Next day when Birbal cut short a suggestion of King Akbar giving his intelligent argument, King said "Birbal do U remember,- Apple of the loft" . Birbal got non-plused. No other minister could understand the code words. But Birbal was totally depressed thereafter.
Same thing happened next day again. when Birbal was rejecting a suggestion of the King by his witty arguments, King said " Birbal do u remember " apple of the loft". Birbal was silent thereafter.
Now this thing started happenning daily. Birbal was very harrassed. He thought "unless a reply is given to king he would make my life hell". He prepared a plan to make the king silent.
Next day,Birbal told Akbar the benefits of "morning walks" for his better health. His arguments were so powerful that Akbar readily agreed to start daily morning walks. Birbal volunteered himself for the company.
Birbal secretly enquired about usual timeing of Akbar's going to latrine to clear his bowls. He came to know that at 6AM Akbar goes punctually to ease himself.
Next day Birbal reached at Akbars Palace at 5 AM and took him along for morning walk. Birbal was a very humourous and witty talker. Besided this the weather was very nice and the morning was really beautiful.He engaged Akbar in the praise of the natural beauty and took him towards a nearby river. Birbal insisted for a boat ride, explaining it's joy. Akbar agreed and sat on the boat. Once in the boat, Birbal took the boat deep in the river. Akbar was really enjoying the morning and the nature's beauty. He could not how the time fled.
Now it was 6 AM. Akbar started feeling nature's call. He slowly said " I think V should return now". But Birbal's praise of beautiful scenery was so interesting that he avoided to pay attention to the call. Birbal kept going deep and deep in the river.Now nature's call was stronger for Akbar. He said strongly now-" I think V should return now".
Birbal again tried to divert Akbars attention. But inner nature's pressure was un outer natures attraction, so Akbar had to order in tuff voice to return. Birbal enquired about the urgency. Akbar said " I have a very urgent official work". Birbal asked--
" Whether our country will face heavy loss if V do not return immidiately".
Akbar replied " Our state will have to bear unprecedented loss, if V do not go immidiately" .
Birbal started moving back to shore , but intentionally speed was slow. Akbar kept on saying "Birbal speed up-speed up". Birbal said " Sir I see U R very tense , What is the so urgent state work?"
Akbar's pressure was unbearable and he had to tell the truth." Yaar Birbal tum to apne hi ho, Actually I am feeling pressure and have to go to "disha maidan" urgently"
Birbal said " Sir, why did not U tell me early. This is more urgent than most urgent state job. "
He speeded up really now and reached the shore. He suggested to King " as UR pressure has now reached to extream limits,U may not reach Palace with clean pants. So U pl. ease URself behind a bush in this jungle. there is nobody around. No body will come to know that the king eased himself behin a bush. That will be a real disha maidan ."
King had no option, as he was really loosing all controls on his body parts and was about to dirty his pants.
King immidiately rushed behind bushes and sat under a tree after lowering his underwear. But as soon as he sat down - a black GHOST appeared from nowhere and cried- "shoo-shoo, Who is dirtying my place. Run away or I eat U."
Akbar was really scared.He forgot his pressure and ran away with feet on his head. After some distance,looked back- saw no ghost following- so he sat down again under a tree. But as soon as he lowered his pant again again a Ghost appeared and cried same thing so loudly that his heart started sinking. King was all sweat. He again started running and aftera distance sat again to face same ghost.
He was all in sweat and his heart was pumping fast. However fifth time he could vacate his bowl and went to Birbal. Birbal asked " My Lord , U took much time to clear UR bowl, every thing is alright?"
King saw Birbal was normal. He felt satisfied that nobody knew the ordeal he faced.-" It is alright"
Next day in the court, when Birbal cut short Akbar's one suggestion, Akbar said " Birbal, Do U rember the apple of the loft".
Now it was the turn of the Birbal to reply : -"My lord do U remember the Ghost of the forest?"
Akbar got totally non-plused. He was thinking -"nobody knew this" but now he could guess the Ghost was Birbal himself.
From then on Akbar totally forgot the line " Birbal, do U remember the apple of the loft" and Birbal had some free air.
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