How Many Stars in the Sky?

One clear night the Emperor Akbar and his court were sitting on the palace roof, looking up at the sky. There was no moon, and the stars were spread out across the darkness like spilled sugar.

“How beautiful,” said Akbar. Then a playful look came into his eyes. “Birbal, you know so much. Tell me: how many stars are there in the sky?”

The courtiers smiled to themselves. At last, a question with no answer.

“May I have until tomorrow evening, Your Majesty?” asked Birbal.

“Take all the time you need,” said the Emperor, smiling. He was quite sure that Birbal would come back and admit defeat.

The next evening Birbal climbed the stairs to the roof. Behind him, on the end of a rope, came a large, woolly, rather bewildered sheep.

“Your Majesty,” said Birbal, “I have counted the stars.”

“And how many are there?”

Birbal patted the sheep. “There are exactly as many stars in the sky as there are hairs on this sheep.”

The Emperor laughed. “And how many hairs are there on this sheep?”

“Exactly as many as there are stars in the sky, Your Majesty. If you doubt me, you are very welcome to count them both. I would suggest beginning with the sheep, since it is easier to reach.”

The sheep chose that moment to say “Baaa,” and the whole court collapsed with laughter.

Akbar shook his head, still laughing. “Birbal, you have answered a question with a sheep.”

“A question that has no answer deserves an answer that can’t be checked, Your Majesty,” said Birbal. “And some things are better enjoyed than counted.”

So they all sat on the roof a little longer, looking at the stars, while the sheep, who did not care how many hairs it had, quietly ate the Emperor’s flowers.