The White Elephants

One day, a washerman’s donkey broke the pitchers of his neighbour, a potter. The washerman paid for the broken pitchers. The potter accepted the money. But he was wicked. So he went to Akbar and said, “Your Majesty, I had a guest from a distant country. The elephants in that country are clean and white.” Akbar said, “I shall ask all the washermen to bathe my elephants.” The potter said, “My neighbour, the washerman, can do a great job!” The washerman asked Birbal, “No matter how much I clean, the elephants will not turn white. What shall I do?” Birbal whispered his plan. Next day, the washerman told Akbar, “If the potter gives me a huge pot to bathe the elephants, I can make them white.” The potter made a huge pot. But it broke when the elephant stepped into it. Akbar thundered, “Make a strong pot!” The potter apologised and begged Akbar for forgiveness.