The foolish thief



One day, a wealthy man came to Akbar's court, hoping to obtain assistance from Birbal. The man suspected one of his servants of stealing from him.

Birbal devised a strategy and provided all of the merchant's servants sticks of the same length. If they were the thief, he said the stick would grow three inches by tomorrow.

The next day, all the servants crowded around Birbal. One of the servants' sticks was three inches shorter than the others, Birbal noticed. Birbal instantly recognised the robber.

The burglar had chopped the stick three inches shorter because he assumed it would grow three inches. His guilt was established as a result of this.


Story's moral

The truth will always come out one way or another, therefore it is best to be honest from the start.