Akbar and the Half-Reward

Emperor Akbar and the Half RewardEmperor Akbar and the Half-Reward

Illustrated By: Tristan Liu

One day, the Emperor Akbar went to the jungle to hunt, but when he followed a new trail, he got lost.  He called for help but it was no use.  The sun was setting.  The Emperor called out, “Ah! Here I am, all alone in the woods, in the dark!”

A young man named Mahesh lived in a hut nearby.  He heard the call and ran over. You can be sure the Emperor was glad to see him!

“I know the way back to the palace,” said Mahesh to the Emperor.  “Follow me.”

Safe home at last, the Emperor said, “Young man, I want to give you a gift.”  He took a ring of emerald and gold from his finger, and gave it to Mahesh. 

 

Emperor Akbar and the Half Reward

 

“In a few days, come back to the palace,” said he. “I want to give you something else, even more grand.”

A few days later, Mahesh came to the palace gate. A guard at the door stopped him.  “Halt!” he said.  “You do not look like someone who should see the Emperor!”  

“But I have come to see him,” said Mahesh. “And the Emperor knows me.” He showed the guard the fine ring that Emperor Akbar had given him.

“Well!” thought the guard to himself. “It is not every day I see such a ring!  I have an idea.”  

The guard said, “Listen to me. I will let you inside. But any gift you get from the Emperor, I must get half.”  The guard crossed his arms.  “That’s the deal.”

 

Emperor Akbar and the Half Reward

 

What could Mahesh do?  He agreed.  The guard let him into the palace, and showed him to the royal room of Emperor Akbar.

“My young friend in the woods!” called Emperor Akbar when he saw Mahesh.  “I am very glad you came back.  Now I can give you another gift.  What would you like from the King of Hindustan?"

"Your Majesty!” said Mahesh with a bow.  “I would like 50 lashes."

“What?!” said the Emperor.

The royal advisors were shocked. “This young man is crazy!” they whispered.

“It makes no sense!” said Emperor Akbar. “Why would you ask for such a thing?”

“I will tell you after half the lashes,” said Mahesh. So the king’s men started to whip him, as he had said. But after the 25th lash, Mahesh asked the King to call the guard who was standing outside the room.

“Wow!” thought the guard.  “What grand thing will I get now?”

 

Emperor Akbar and the Half Reward

 

But to his surprise, Mahesh pointed to him.  He said, “My Emperor! This guard let me inside the palace only if I agreed to pay him half of any reward I may get from you. I always keep my promises. So please, give him the 25 lashes that are left."

The Emperor ordered that the guard be given 25 lashes, along with 5 years in prison. Emperor Akbar was more pleased than ever with Mahesh. He invited the young man to stay at the palace and serve as his royal advisor.  And there Mahesh served for many long years.

end


 

Posted in Asia, Bullying, India, STORIES FOR KIDS, World Tales.

2 Comments

  1. I think the story is trying to tell that we should never be greedy or else we might get into trouble. It also tells us to be clever to solve a problem, and to be kind.

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