Emperor Akbar slowly rose from his throne, a thoughtful look on his face. He walked down the steps and stood before Thomas. He didn’t look stern now; instead, his eyes sparkled with admiration. ‘My word, Thomas!’ he said, a wide smile spreading across his face. ‘You are not just a brave soldier, but a truly clever one! To find such a simple, yet brilliant solution to an impossible task, why, that shows a razor-sharp intellect!’
The Emperor paused, looking at Thomas with great pride. ‘From this day forward, you shall no longer be called Thomas. Instead, I give you a new name, one that truly reflects your wisdom and quick thinking. You shall be known as Birbal!’
The name ‘Birbal’ meant something like ‘a person with a brave and clever mind,’ and Thomas felt a warm glow spread through his chest. It was a truly extraordinary name, and he knew it was a great honour. Emperor Akbar then made another announcement. ‘Birbal, your cleverness is a gift. I wish for you to be more than just a soldier. I want you to join my most trusted advisors, to help me solve the trickiest problems of the land!’