Birbal and the Learned Man

Once, a learned man went to Akbar’s court. Akbar asked, “What brings you here?” The man said, “Your Majesty, with your permission I would like Birbal to test me.” Akbar agreed. Birbal brought a huge jar and filled it with big stones. Birbal asked the man, “Can I add something more to this jar?” The man said, “No, it is full.” Birbal put pebbles in the jar and shook it lightly. The pebbles rolled into the empty spaces between the stones. Birbal asked, “Can I add something more?” The man said, “No!” Birbal smiled and poured sand into the jar. The sand filled up the empty spaces. Then he said to the man, “This jar is like our life. We feel we have learnt everything and there is nothing more to learn. But there will always be space for more.” The man said, “There is no one so wise as Birbal, Your Majesty!”