Birbal’s khichdi

A funny folk tale about Emperor Akbar and his clever friend Birbal. Khichdi is a dish of rice and dal.

News Nibbles Edition 4 · Saturday 31 October 2026· Page 20 of the paper

1. On a freezing winter night, a poor man stood in a cold lake all night long. Emperor Akbar had promised a prize to anyone who could do it.

2. In the morning, the man said, “I looked at a lamp far away in the palace.” “Then the lamp kept you warm,” said Akbar. “No prize!”

3. The next day, Birbal did not come to court. Akbar went to see him. Birbal had hung a pot very high up, over a tiny fire.

4. “Birbal, what are you doing?” asked Akbar. “I am cooking khichdi,” said Birbal. “But the pot is so high up!” said Akbar.

5. Birbal smiled. “If a lamp far away can warm a man in the lake, then this fire can cook my khichdi!”

6. Akbar understood. He laughed and said, “You are right, Birbal!” He gave the poor man his prize after all.

The lesson: be fair. A good joke can help someone see they made a mistake!

Put it in order

Write 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the boxes.

Birbal hung a pot high above a fire.

A man stood in a cold lake all night.

Akbar gave the man his prize.

Akbar said the lamp had kept the man warm.

Nibbles asksWas Akbar fair to the man at first? How do you think the man felt?

Did you know?Can a pot really cook when it is far above a fire? No! Heat rises, but it spreads out and cools down. That is why Birbal’s khichdi could never cook.