God and Devotee

Emperor Akbar was a Muslim, but he respected all religions equally. He was eager to learn more about Hinduism. 

"Is it true that according to Hindu legends, Lord Vishnu came to Earth to rescue an elephant that prayed to him?" he once asked Birbal.

"Yes, Emperor," replied Birbal. "When Gajendra, the king of the elephants, was caught by a crocodile that wanted to kill him, he prayed to Lord Vishnu. Vishnu heard his prayer and came to save him."

"Why did the Lord himself come to save Gajendra?" asked Akbar. "He could have sent one of his servants. Surely Lord Vishnu has a lot of servants?" 

"I will answer your question in a few days," said Birbal.

Akbar's young son often strolled with one of his servants in the evening. Birbal secretly befriended this servant. Birbal then brought a wax mannequin that looked exactly like the prince. One evening, when the prince was asleep, Birbal instructed the servant to take the dummy—instead of the prince—for a stroll. The servant did as Birbal told him.

A little later, the servant ran to Akbar. "Emperor, come quickly!" he said. "The prince has fallen into the pond and doesn't know how to swim." 

When Akbar heard this, he jumped out of his throne and ran toward the pond. When he reached the pond, he jumped in to save his son. He was relieved when he found a wax mannequin that resembled the young prince instead of his son. Birbal waited for the Emperor to come out of the water.

"What kind of prank is this?" Akbar angrily asked Birbal. 

"Emperor, why did you jump into the pond?" Birbal replied. "You could have sent a servant to rescue the prince. You have a lot of servants, don't you?" 

Akbar remembered the question he had asked Birbal regarding Lord Vishnu. 

"In the same way that you love your son, Lord Vishnu loves his devotees," said Birbal. "Because of this love, he comes to save them."