Once upon a time Akbar and Birbal were passing through some vegetable fields. They came across a brinjal patch. Looking at the healthy and shining brinjals Akbar said to Birbal "Look Birbal... what a delicious vegetable the brinjal is. I like it very much."

Birbal, seconding Akbar’s opinion, said "You are right Maharaj. It is the king of the vegetables. God himself has put a crown on its head. No vegetable can beat it in looks and taste."

Some weeks later they rode past the same field again. This time however the emperor made a face when he saw the brinjals. "This brinjal is such a tasteless vegetable! I wonder how people swallow it down their throats" said Akbar.

Just then Akbar remembered that the last time when they had been there Birbal was all praise for the vegetable. He asked Birbal "But last time when we were here, you said it was the king of the vegetables! Now you had totally changed your opinion. What do you mean by that?"

"I did" admitted Birbal.

He bowed his head and said- "Huzoor, I am your servant and not of the brinjal’s."

Hearing this Akbar could not stop laughing on Birbal’s wittiness