Stand up then!
The Prime Minister and the other ministers were jealous of Birbal because he was Akbar's favourite.One day, in front of the Emperor, the Prime Minister said to Birbal, "Well now, the Emperor and I have decided to give you a job. We feel that you will be able to do this job better than anybody else."
The Minister asked, "May I know what the job is?"
"From now on you will be the master of all the dogs in the Empire. You will be in charge of them, and they will have to obey you."
Immediately the Minister said, "Since you have given me this post, let me ask you to stand up. I am the master of all the dogs in the Empire, and you also belong to that group, so you have to listen to me. Stand up then!"
Akbar was most amused by this reply.
Sri Chinmoy, The Moghul Emperors, Agni Press, 2001
