BANG! BANG! BANG! Kalu the gardener pounded frantically on Birbal’s door, mud splattered on his face and tears glistening in his eyes. “Oh, Sir! My treasure is gone! A thousand gold coins, buried under the pear tree in the royal garden — STOLEN!” His voice shook like branches in a storm, filled with fear.
Birbal, wise as an owl, stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Kalu, who knew about your hidden treasure?” Kalu’s eyes widened like saucers. “NOBODY! Only me, I swear!”
Birbal frowned, deep in thought. If nobody knew, then perhaps someone had accidentally dug near the pear tree. But who would dig under a pear tree?
He decided to gather all the doctors and healers in the city at his grand mansion. “Does anyone know if the pear tree has special uses?” he asked. Most shook their heads, but an old healer with wrinkled skin raised a hand. “I used pear tree roots to help a wealthy merchant named Seth Hazarimal with his illness!”
Birbal’s eyes sparkled like diamonds. “Bring Seth Hazarimal to me!” When the merchant arrived, looking as healthy as a juicy mango, he nodded. “Yes! My servant dug those roots!”
“Bring in the servant!” Birbal commanded. The servant shuffled in, trembling like a leaf. “Where did you dig?” Birbal asked, his eyes sharp as a hawk’s. “In the royal garden, sir,” the servant stuttered, beads of sweat rolling down his face.
“Did you find anything unusual?” Birbal pressed, and the servant paled, eyes darting about. “Um… well…”
“Return the coins NOW, or face the Emperor’s wrath!”
With wide eyes, the servant ran off, only to return moments later, panting and red-faced, clutching a heavy bag of gold coins. THUD! He dropped it at Birbal’s feet.
Birbal opened the bag and counted out five shiny coins, setting them aside for Kalu. “Here are your savings! But remember, five coins will stay as a lesson for burying treasure in a public garden without a proper hiding spot!”
Kalu’s face lit up with joy and gratitude. Meanwhile, Birbal leaned back in his chair, a twinkle in his eye, pleased that he had solved the mystery using his clever questions without ever getting up or dirtying his hands. In the magical kingdom, the clever detective had once again shown that sometimes, asking the right questions is the key to finding the truth.