Akbar and Birbal Go Shopping: Akbar and Birbal Stories

 Akbar and Birbal Go Shopping: Akbar and Birbal Stories

Akbar and Birbal were talking about Western countries and realized that both of them were very unfamiliar with their culture. 

Akbar: Birbal, how very little knowledge we have about the West and their culture. Being an emperor of such a strong country, I should at least have knowledge about other countries and maintain a good relationship with them.

Birbal: That is a good thing you have realized Your Highness, you should definitely be aware of other countries and maintain a relationship with them. 

All of a sudden a Westerner comes shouting, 

Westerner (arguing with guards at the palace gate): I cannot tolerate this behavior! Where is your king? Take me to him right now!

Akbar and Birbal both hear this.

Akbar (shouts angrily): Maintain peace in the palace! This is not a marketplace.

Birbal: Let me check Your Highness, must be a foreigner.

Westerner (still angry and unhappy): Do you always treat your guests like this? 

Birbal to guards: Let the guest pass through.

The Westerner comes through the gate and into the palace. 

Westerner: Thank you, good man! I was trying to get in to talk with the emperor, but these guards won't let me through. Please take me to the emperor.

Birbal: I apologize for the incident. You are most welcome here and also free to speak with our emperor. 

Birbal takes the Westerner to Akbar.

Westerner: Greetings Your Highness, I am a visitor from the West. I tried explaining this to the guards but they wouldn't listen.

Akbar: They must have been surprised to see such a white man in our country. 

(They all laugh) 

Akbar: However, we are sorry you had to go through it. We were just talking about the West and how little we know about them, and suddenly you come shouting! What a coincidence!

Westerner: Your Highness, the West is very different from here but we share the same morals and values. How about I introduce you to our culture?

Akbar and Birbal Together: That would be great!

Westerner: So then, let's change your apparel first.

All of them go to the market to buy new clothes. The Westerners buy them clothes they have never seen before.

Akbar: What do we have these kind of dresses in our country?

Birbal: I am surprised myself, Your Highness. And look how short they are.

Westerner: They are shorter than what you wear around here but they surely are very comfortable. Here, try this.

Akbar and Birbal try the new apparel and laugh looking at each other.

Akbar (laughs): Birbal, your dress is so short that it looks like you are not wearing anything.

Birbal (laughs): Your Highness, even you look like you aren't wearing anything. So this is what people wear in the Western countries. 

All of them go out of the shop wearing what the Westerner suggested. Suddenly, all the people passing by look towards Akbar and Birbal and laugh. 

A tradesman says, "Did your son trim your dresses when you were asleep Birbal"? 

All the people in the market laugh.

Another person says, "Birbal, I could have given you new full clothes if you had asked me, why are you wearing small clothes as if you didn't have money to buy full clothes."

Akbar realized that people were not saying anything to him because he was the emperor. He covered his face with a cloth and went straight to the palace. 

The Westerner was shocked to see such reactions.

Akbar shouts angrily, "What kind of dresses are these? I am not wearing anything like these again." 

Birbal: I agree Your Highness, we should not disregard our own culture by the influence of the Western culture. Let's immediately take these off.

The Westerners knew that both liked their dresses but did not want to wear them as people laughed at them. He also knew that Birbal was only making an excuse of 'disregarding their culture'. 

Westerner: Okay Your Highness, now let's try something else from the Western culture.

Akbar and Birbal both shout: No... No, we that this is enough for now. 

All of them laugh and head out to show their village to the Westerner.

Read: Fight in the Market: Stories of Akbar and Birbal, A plot to kill Birbal: Akbar and Birbal Stories, A Ghost In The Village: Stories of Akbar and Birbal, An Abusive Cattleman and Heartfelt Justice: Akbar Birbal Stories, Enemy Attacks on Emperor Akbar: Stories of Akbar and Birbal