(East Indian)
The emperor needed a new advisor, and many people wanted the job. In order to be fair and make certain he hired the wisest person, the emperor devised a test.
The emperor stood in front of all the job candidates. Took off his royal
cloak. Then stretched out on the floor.
“The one who can cover me from head to toe with this cloak,”
proclaimed the emperor. “Will become my new advisor.”
Person after person attempted to cover the emperor, but the cloak was
too small. If it covered his head, his feet were exposed. If it covered
his feet, his head was exposed. Some even tried stretching the cloak,
but nothing worked.
When it was finally Birbal’s turn to try he bowed to the emperor
then whispered something in his ear. Moments later Birbal had successfully
covered the emperor—head, middle, and feet—with the cloak.
“Congratulations,” said the emperor. “You are my new
and wisest advisor.”
How did Birbal manage to cover the emperor when all the others had failed?
The words Birbal whispered to the emperor were: “Please bend your
legs and pull your feet up.” This simply request and made the impossible
possible.
