AN INDIAN TALE

AKBAR AND AKBAR AND AKBAR AND AKBAR AND BIRBALBIRBALBIRBALBIRBAL: : : : BIRBAL’SBIRBAL’SBIRBAL’SBIRBAL’S KHICHDIKHICHDIKHICHDIKHICHDI

Akbar was one of the most famous kings in thehistory of India. He is credited to start several new thingsand brought love, peace and equality among the people ofthe nation. Birbal was not only a close friend of theEmperor but also had administrative and militaryresponsibilities.

Once upon a time, Birbal and Akbar decided totake a stroll alongside a beautiful lake.

Then, a simple question occurred to Birbal:

How far a man can go to have money?

He expressed it to Akbar who, while listening toBirbal, sat down and touched the water in the lake. Heat once took his hand out as he realized the cold. Heexclaimed that no one would ever spend a night inexclaimed that no one would ever spend a night inthis cold water for any amount of money. Birbalbelieved that someone could. Akbar challenged Birbalto find him, and he would give that man a total of onethousand coins made of pure gold.

Stroll Paseo

Realize Notar

Amount Cantidad

Challenge Retar

Birbal started his search and kept looking for thisman everywhere until he found one. This happened tobe a poor guy who was desperate enough to risk awhole night of severe cold to have the gold coinsreward.

Akbar, when heard the news, appointed his trustyguards to make sure that the poor guy stayed inwater for the whole night. Surprisingly, the nextwater for the whole night. Surprisingly, the nextmorning, the poor man came to Akbar aftercompleting his challenge, all sound and healthy, anddemanded his much awaited reward.

Search Búsqueda

Whole Entero

Reward Recompensa

Trusty De confianza

To make sure Asegurarse

Sound and healthy Sano y salvo

Akbar couldn’t believe it and asked how he hadmanaged to spend the whole night out there. Thepoor man talked about a light post that he saw aroundthe lake which he kept in focus all night. He believedthat by keeping his attention on the lamp, he couldmanage to avoid thinking about cold.

To his surprise, Akbar refused to give him the goldTo his surprise, Akbar refused to give him the goldcoins as he used the lamp’s energy to keep himselfwarm.

Manage Arreglárselas

In focus A la vista

Avoid Evitar

Refuse Negarse

The poor man, all disappointed, informed Birbal.

Birbal didn’t go to the court next day. When Akbarasked, Birbal sent him a message: he couldn’t go untilhis Khichdi was ready.

After waiting for several hours, Akbar along withhis guards went to visit Birbal.

Birbal had a pot of khichdi hanging from the roofBirbal had a pot of khichdi hanging from the roofof the room several feet away from the fire. Akbarasked Birbal how he expected for a fire to cookkhichdi from such a distance.

Disappointed Decepcionado

Khichdi Plato indio

Hang Colgar

Several Varios

Birbal, very intelligently, replied that the same way the poor man received warmth from a lamp post so far away from himself.

Akbar stood speechless and realized that he had to pay the poor man the coins he had promised.

THE END

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GLOSSARY 1

Stroll Paseo

Realize Darse cuenta

Amount Cantidad

Challenge Retar

Search Búsqueda

Whole Entero

Reward Recompensa

Trusty De confianza

To make sure Asegurarse

Sound and healthy Sano y salvo

Manage Arreglárselas

GLOSSARY 2

In focus A la vista

Avoid Evitar

Refuse Negarse

Disappointed Decepcionado

Khichdi Plato indio

Hang Colgar

Several Varios

Reply Contestar

Warmth Calor

Speechless Sin habla

Text: www.indianchild.com

Ana Almarza 2012