A Ghost In The Village: Stories of Akbar and Birbal

 Akbar and Birbal were having a good time sharing stories of the past. The room was full of laughter and joy until a group of villagers came running towards them. 

Villagers: Help us, your Majesty, please help us!

Akbar: What has happened? What are you all so worried about, you look as if you just saw a ghost. 

Villagers: Yes Your Majesty, We have indeed seen a ghost, it has been scaring people at night. 

Birbal (with a smile): A ghost? In our village? Now that's a new challenge!

Akbar: This is not a joke Birbal, the villagers are scared and you know how much I care about my people's safety. This must be dealt with seriousness.

Birbal: Sorry Your Highness, I just that I can't hear about ghosts and not laugh.

Akbar (angrily): So you this all these villagers are stupid? Do you think these people are here to joke around with me? 

Akbar suddenly gets an idea,

Akbar: All right then, I want you to solve this problem, and remember that you have until tomorrow night. If you are unable to do it, you will be exiled from the country.

Birbal gets serious realizing that his future in the country is at stake.

Birbal takes a group of his guards and instructs them to scan the village area at night and report to him in the morning. The guards do as instructed but find nothing decisive. 

Guards: We are sorry Your Highness, we could not locate the ghost.

Birbal (with a smile): So you still think that it was a ghost and not a thief?

Guards: Yes Your Highness, if it was a thief we could have caught him by now.

Birbal laughs and goes off to the Akbar's palace,

As he entered the meeting hall, he saw all the king's advisors gossiping rumors about him getting exiled from the country. 

Akbar: So, did you catch the thief yet? (All the advisors become silent)

Birbal: Not yet Your Highness, I am here to request for an extension of one day.

All the advisors start murmuring, and the emperor grabs everyone's attention at once: 

Silence in the hall! Akbar shouted,

Akbar: Birbal, I have not become an emperor by changing my decisions, I need to be strict and fair with everyone. Because you were unable to solve the case, I demand you out of the country before sunrise tomorrow.

Birbal was unhappy about the situation, he went home and told his wife(Asma) everything about what had happened. 

Asma: What happened was very unfair. The thief is out free and you are being punished for his crimes? You have served the emperor for so many years now, and this is how you are rewarded? 

Birbal thinks for a while and comes up with an idea and shares it with Asma. He tells his wife to remain in the country as the emperor has only banned Birbal and not his wife. 

Birbal leaves the country and cleverly positions himself at the border and waits.

As it became dark, he kept his eyes open for any unusual activity. Suddenly, he sees a man wearing a white cloth entering the country. He followed him into the village and saw him enter a house. 

As soon as he entered the house, a family started screaming and exiting the house with fear. The thief had already stolen all the valuables before the villagers came. 

The thief ran out of the house, and while rushing out he even collided with the door and tore his shirt.

The next morning, Birbal went to the emperor's court. As he entered the room, all the advisers were in shock.

Akbar: So now you have the guts to disobey my orders?

Birbal: Apologies Your Highness, I have found the 'Ghost' you were referring to. In fact, I saw it yesterday with my own eyes!

Akbar: So now you realize that ghosts exist? Why have you come here, did you catch the ghost?

Birbal: Not yet, Your Highness. But I have a proposal for you, if I catch the ghost before tomorrow's sunrise, let me be in this land which is very dear to me. But if I don't find the ghost, I will leave here with my family and never lay my eyes on this land.

Akbar thinks for a moment and says,

Akbar: Since you have served me with complete loyalty for years, I will grant you that opportunity. But if you fail in doing what you have promised, I will not only exile you and your family but also take control of all your possessions.

Birbal: That's fair Your Highness.

As it became dark, Birbal went to the exact place where he saw the thief come from and waited for him. The thief once again appeared and started moving to his next targeted house. Birbal thought it would be better if he caught the thief red-handed so he waited for the right time. 

The thief somehow became aware that someone was spying upon him and tried to run away without stealing anything to save his life. Birbal quickly stood in his way and caught him but the thief had not stolen anything yet and it would be difficult to prove that he was the actual thief. Birbal took the thief to the palace and introduced him to the emperor as the 'ghost' everyone was scared of. 

Akbar: So this is the ghost that has been scaring and robbing the villagers recently. Surprisingly, he looks like a living human to me.

Thief: Your Highness, I have been falsely accused. I have never stolen anything nor have I scared the villagers. 

Akbar: What nonsense? Birbal, did you catch him red-handed? Do you have any proof that he is the ghost has been scaring and robbing the villagers?

Birbal (scratched his head): I did not catch him red-handed but I have proof that he is the same person who has been scaring the villagers and robbing them. 

Birbal then pointed at his shirt and said, a small part of his shirt is missing and I know where it is.

Birbal then went to the house that was robbed the day before and showed the missing part of the thief's shirt snagged on a nail in the door. 

The thief has nothing to say and he was sent to jail for scaring and robbing the villagers.

Birbal was reinstated to his position with a huge reward for his bravery, cleverness, and loyalty. 

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