Birbal Shortens Road

The Emperor Akbar was traveling to a distant place along with some of his courtiers. It was a hot day and the emperor was tiring of the journey.<br><br>

“Can’t anybody shorten this road for me?" he asked, querulously.<br><br>

“I can," said Birbal.<br><br>

The other courtiers looked at one another, perplexed. All of them knew there was no other path through the hilly terrain. <br><br>

The road they were traveling on was the only one that could take them to their destination.<br><br>

“You can shorten the road?" said the emperor. “Well, do it."<br><br>

“I will," said Birbal. “Listen first to this story I have to tell."<br><br>

And riding beside the emperor’s palanquin, he launched upon a long and intriguing tale that held Akbar and all those listening, spellbound. Before they knew it, they had reached the end of their journey.
<br><br>
“We’ve reached?" exclaimed Akbar. “So soon!"<br><br>

“Well," grinned Birbal, “you did say you wanted the road to be shortened."