20 Stories

Akbar Birbal Stories TotsName Kids Studio

Witty puzzles and quick answers from the court of Emperor Akbar and his clever minister Birbal.

Suitable for: 6–12 years

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Moral stories by value — honesty, kindness, courage…

Featured stories

Story Counting the Crows Akbar asks how many crows live in his city. Birbal has an exact answer — and an explanation for any mistake. Ages 6–12

Story Birbal’s Khichdi A poor man is denied his reward because of a lamp far away — so Birbal cooks khichdi very, very high up. Ages 6–12

Story Make the Line Shorter Akbar draws a line and says “make it shorter without touching it.” Birbal finds a way. Ages 6–12

Who were Akbar and Birbal?

Akbar was a Mughal emperor who ruled from 1556 to 1605, and Raja Birbal was a real member of his court. The witty stories about them, however, are folk tales that grew up and were retold long afterwards — they are not documented historical events.

What can children learn?

Lateral thinking and problem solving
Humour and quick wit
Fairness and justice
Seeing a problem from a new angle

All stories

All ages 5–6 yrs 6–8 yrs 8–10 yrs 10–12 yrs 12+ yrs

Counting the Crows Akbar asks how many crows live in his city. Birbal has an exact answer — and an explanation for any mistake. Ages 6–12

Birbal’s Khichdi A poor man is denied his reward because of a lamp far away — so Birbal cooks khichdi very, very high up. Ages 6–12

Make the Line Shorter Akbar draws a line and says “make it shorter without touching it.” Birbal finds a way. Ages 6–12

The Magic Sticks Something has been stolen. Birbal gives each servant a “magic” stick that will grow in the thief’s hand. Ages 6–12

As Many Stars as Hairs Akbar asks how many stars there are in the sky. Birbal answers with a woolly sheep. Ages 6–12

The Well and the Water A man sells a farmer his well — then says the water was never part of the deal. Ages 6–12

Half the Reward A greedy gatekeeper demands half of any reward — so Birbal asks for a very unusual reward. Ages 6–12

Birbal and the Brinjal Birbal praises the brinjal when Akbar likes it — and criticises it when Akbar doesn’t. Why? Ages 6–12

The Best Weapon Akbar asks what the best weapon is. Birbal says “presence of mind” — and soon has to prove it. Ages 6–12

Illustration for Birbal’s Three Questions

Birbal’s Three Questions A proud visitor asks three hard questions. Birbal answers with a cup of milk and a lamp. Ages 8–12+

The Straw in the Beard Akbar’s ring is missing. Birbal announces that the thief has a straw in his beard — and watches who touches his. Ages 6–12

Illustration for Counting Who Cannot See

Counting Who Cannot See Birbal says there are more people who cannot see than people who can — and proves it with a half-made bed. Ages 8–12+

Whose Mango Tree? Two neighbours both claim the same mango tree, and Birbal finds the true owner with one piece of pretend news. Ages 6–12

A Pot Full of Wit A faraway king asks Akbar to send him a pot full of wit, and Birbal grows the answer in a garden. Ages 6–12

Sugar in the Sand A courtier mixes sugar with sand and asks Birbal to separate them by hand, so Birbal asks some tiny helpers. Ages 5–10

The Coins in the Water An oil seller and a cloth seller both claim a bag of coins, and Birbal lets a bowl of water decide. Ages 6–12

Illustration for The Tree That Was a Witness

The Tree That Was a Witness A man says he never borrowed any money, so Birbal calls an unusual witness — a tree far outside the city. Ages 8–12

How Many Bangles? Akbar asks Birbal a simple question he cannot answer — and Birbal turns it into a lesson about noticing what we see every day. Ages 5–10

Illustration for The Egg Hunt in the Pond

The Egg Hunt in the Pond The courtiers hide eggs to make Birbal look foolish in front of the emperor. Birbal answers with a loud and clever “Cock-a-doodle-doo!” Ages 5–10

Illustration for Akbar’s Dream and the Kind Words

Akbar’s Dream and the Kind Words Emperor Akbar dreams that all his teeth fall out. One answer makes him angry; Birbal gives the very same meaning — in kinder words. Ages 5–10