The Most Useful Weapon #03
The Most Useful Weapon
One day, Akbar the great asked his commander-in-chief, "Which is the best weapon?"
"The sword, Your Majesty," said the commander-in-chief.
A discussion began among the courtiers. One of them said that the spear was the best, while another thought it was the dagger. Birbal, Akbar's wise minister, was also present there. Akbar asked Birbal, "Birbal, which weapon do you consider the best?"
"Your Majesty, one may have a thousand weapons, but the weapon which is useful in the time of need should be considered the best," replied Birbal in his characteristic style.
"Birbal, you will have to prove your point," said Akbar.
"Yes, Your Majesty," said Birbal confidently.
Some days later, Akbar and Birbal were standing on the terrace of the royal palace. Suddenly, in the street below, a loud shout was heard. "Beware, an elephant has run amok. Stop it! Stop it!"
The elephant was running ahead while the mahout and several soldiers were running after it, but no one could control it. The elephant had turned stark mad. Akbar and Birbal were watching all this from the terrace with bated breath. Now what?
Suddenly, they saw a young man approaching the elephant from the opposite side. He did not have any weapon in his hand How was he going to confront the mad elephant?
Suddenly, they saw a young man approaching the elephant from the opposite side. He did not have any weapon in his hand How was he going to confront the mad elephant?
The young man looked about him and saw a dog passing by. He caught the dog by its legs When the elephant came closer, the young man raised the dog and threw it forcefully at the elephant. The dog hit the elephant's forehead with great force. The elephant was taken aback It stopped for a few minutes and then meekly turned and started walking towards the royal elephant shed, and finally, stood at its usual place there.
Birbal said, "Your Majesty, this young man did not have any weapon, neither a spear nor a sword. He took a dog in his hands. That was his only weapon. Your Majesty. That's why on that day I said that the weapon that is handy in the time of need, is the best weapon."
Birbal said, "Your Majesty, this young man did not have any weapon, neither a spear nor a sword. He took a dog in his hands. That was his only weapon. Your Majesty. That's why on that day I said that the weapon that is handy in the time of need, is the best weapon."
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