In the majestic palace of Emperor Akbar, tension hung in the air. Day by day, the Emperor noticed something unsettling private discussions, spoken only among trusted officials, were somehow becoming public gossip. Matters of state that should have remained confidential were being repeated in the streets.
Angered and alarmed, Emperor Akbar summoned his most trusted minister, Birbal.
“Someone in this court is betraying us,” he said gravely. “Find the traitor, Birbal, before more secrets are lost.”
Birbal bowed respectfully and replied, “Leave it to me, Your Majesty.”
The next morning, Birbal gathered all the palace staff and casually planted a false rumor:
“It seems His Majesty is planning to marry a princess from a distant kingdom,” he said, loud enough for everyone to hear, then left the room as if it was no serious matter.
This news had never been discussed before. Only the royal staff present that day had heard it.
By the very next day, rumors of the Emperor's supposed marriage had spread all across the city. Birbal quickly traced the gossip trail, which eventually led to a tea seller near the palace gates.
When questioned, the tea seller confessed, “One of the palace servants told me.”
The guilty servant was summoned. With no way to deny the story, he broke down and admitted his betrayal.Emperor Akbar was furious but also relieved. Thanks to Birbal’s quick thinking, the traitor had been exposed.
Moral: Secrets may whisper, but truth speaks louder.
Short Moral: Truth can’t stay hidden.
