The Peeling Plaster

One day, Akbar noticed that the plaster had peeled off in some of the rooms. “Dholak! I want these walls repaired immediately,” he ordered his servant. The next day, Akbar saw that the walls had not been repaired. He was angry. “Dholak! Come here!” he screamed. Dholak looked at the walls and said, “Pardon me, Your Majesty! I did not have the time to repair them.” “Bring a bowl of lime!” Akbar roared. Dholak went to get the bowl of lime and he saw Birbal there. Birbal asked Dholak to take some butter along with the lime. When Akbar asked Dholak to eat the lime, Dholak ate the butter. Akbar was surprised when Dholak did not get sick. He went to see what he was eating. He saw the butter and asked, “Did Birbal ask you to do this?” Dholak said frightfully, “Yes, Your Majesty.” Akbar laughed heartily and pardoned him.