It happened once that the great Emperor Akbar brought his little son to the court, and naturally all the courtiers began to praise him. Trying to out-do each other, the viziers and ministers were soon declaring the son to be the most beautiful child in the country – no, in the world! and Akbar became more and more inflated with pride. But then he noticed that one of his advisors, the wise Birbal, seemed to hold back in his words of praise.

“Birbal,” demanded Akbar, “what do you think? Is not my son the most beautiful child in the world?”

“Majesty, without doubt he is very beautiful,” said Birbal.

“No more than that? The others say, the most beautiful in the world!”

“Yes, they say so, Majesty.”

Akbar became angry. “Then show me one that is more beautiful!” To which Birbal bowed and said, “If God wills.”

A few days later, Birbal requested the Emperor to come with him, dressed in simple clothes and with a bandage covering his eyes as if he were blind. It was an unusual request, but Akbar trusted Birbal and so he agreed. Leaving the palace Birbal guided Akbar through the streets of the city, coming gradually to poorer homes. Then they stopped outside of a small cottage where a little child was playing in the mud while his mother worked nearby.

Birbal spoke to the woman, saying, “Mother, is this your child? Could you describe him my friend?”

The woman’s face lit up at the question. With a broad smile she said, “Master, forgive me for saying it, but by the grace of God he is the most beautiful child in the world!”

Then Birbal removed the bandage from Akbar’s eyes and let him look at the child – mud-covered, and to the Emperor’s eyes no different from any other child.

After looking carefully at the child and then at the mother, Akbar said, “Yes, I understand. It is the one who looks that decides.”