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Story PrismAuthor: Ritu Vaish
On the Story Prism podcast I, Ritu Vaish, an early childhood educator, perform a new story every week for children 2 to 10 years old and grown ups young at heart. I have many different themes of stories. The first are the Alphabet Escapades that are stories of alphabets to reinforce phonic sounds. The second are Stories from Near and Far which include folk tales from around the world along with critical thinking questions incorporated within the story. Last but not least are The Originals, organic stories I have developed over the years. Language: en-us Genres: Kids & Family, Stories for Kids Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
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Akbar & Birbal Stories: Akbar Birbal and the Persian Lion (Episode 215)
Episode 215
Friday, 13 February, 2026
Akbar and Birbal folktales are very famous in India. These are a set of moral stories inspired by the interactions of Mughal Emperor Akbar and his wisest courtier Birbal and have been enjoyed by children for many many years. These stories were mostly passed on from generation to generation by word of mouth, till the print medium started. You know children, Birbal was an extremely witty courtier and. you will really enjoy listening to the witty, interesting, and sometimes funny, occurrences in the lives of Akbar and Birbal. These stories also help us to think smart just like Birbal.Today's story: Akbar Birbal and the Persian LionFree activity sheet available at www.rituvaish.com/akbar-birbal-and-the-persian-lionSend your artwork to rituvaish@gmail.com.TranscriptIn the grand court of Emperor Akbar, where jewels sparkled, wisdom flowed, and courtiers competed to impress, there once arrived a visitor from Persia.He did not bring gold.He did not bring silk.He brought… a challenge.Under a velvet cloth lay a magnificent lion—(carved entirely from solid wax.)The Persian merchant bowed low and announced,“O mighty Emperor! This lion has been locked inside this iron cage without opening the cage door. If anyone in your court can remove it without breaking the cage, I shall accept defeat. If not… your court’s famed intelligence is but a rumour.”A hush fell over the court.The cage was strong. The bars were thick. The door was sealed.One by one, ministers examined it.They pushed. They pulled.They peered. They puzzled.But the lion sat inside—silent, golden, and impossible.Akbar frowned. His pride trembled.“Is there no one,” he thundered softly, “who can solve this?”From the back of the court, a familiar calm voice rose.“Jahanpanah, may I try?”Children, can you guess who that was??Indeed, It was Birbal.With steady steps and a twinkle in his eye, Birbal walked toward the cage. He did not touch the bars. He did not shake the lock.Instead, he asked for a long iron rod… and a flame.The court whispered.What was he planning?Birbal heated the iron rod in the fire until it glowed red—fiery, fierce, fearless.Then, slowly, carefully, he slid the hot rod through the bars and touched the lion.There was a pause.A drip.Another drip.Before the astonished eyes of the court, the majestic lion began to melt. Its fierce face softened… its proud mane collapsed… its mighty paws dissolved.Within minutes, the lion was no more than a puddle of wax at the bottom of the cage.Birbal stepped back and smiled.“The lion was never truly trapped,” he said gently.“It only needed the right perspective.”The Persian merchant lowered his head in admiration.“Indeed,” he admitted, “Akbar’s court is as wise as the world claims.”Akbar beamed. Pride returned. Laughter echoed.And once again, Birbal proved—Strength may roar.Locks may intimidate.But intelligence… melts the impossible.
