Once when The King Akbar

Summoned Birbal to the court,

And told him that, "A scholar

Needs some of your support."

"He says he is the smartest

And he can never lose,

I think you should try once

Your mastermind you may use."

Birbal agreed and the scholar

Asked a question for a start,

"Would you like hundred easy or

One hard question from my chart?"

"Oh, I would like the hard one."

Said the smart Birbal gently,

"Who came first the egg or the hen?"

The scholar asked fluently.

"I think the hen came

before the egg, my friend."

"And why not the egg? How can

You this surely pretend?"

"My dear, I said I'll answer

Only one from your hard list,

So I prefer not to answer this."

The scholar prepared a fist.

But what is the use of it now

The court was all aware,

That Birbal won and he lost

What he got were shameful glares.

So that's how 'The Clever Birbal'

Proved himself the smartest of all,

And with his great skills, he won

The hearts of the crowd in the hall.

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Poet's Note