It happened once that the great Emperor Akbar wished to show his munificence, and so he decided to distribute jewels amongst the ministers of his court. To each one would be given a fine piece of glittering jewellery. However, on the day when the gifts were distributed Birbal was absent on some duty, and when he returned to the court, no gifts of jewellery remained. The other ministers said nothing to him about this, but all looked self-satisfied and smug.

Birbal soon found out that he had been overlooked, and he thought he must take action to right this injustice. A few nights later, accompanied by a group of musicians, he stood below the window of Akbar, and began to sing about the generosity of the Emperor.

“Not one,” he sang, “not two, but three fine jewels did great Akbar give.
Three, three, three fine jewels did Akbar give.
Though Birbal has no worth, thus does the mighty Akbar reward his servant.”

Listening at the window, Akbar became puzzled, and ordered Birbal be brought before him at once.

“What is this nonsense you are singing?” he demanded. “I did not give you three jewels.”

“Your majesty,” Birbal replied, “it was in a dream that your image did so, and I wish all the world to be aware that even in the dream world your generosity has no limit.”

The dream of Birbal pleased Akbar so much that that night Birbal returned home with not three fine jewels, but with five!