B. Answer these questions.
1. Why was the ambassador from Lanka delighted with the dismay created by his requests
a pot of wisdom?
2. Why did Birbal keep a watchful eye on his pumpkin plants?
3. Why did the ambassador from Lanka have a sheepish grin on his face after he looked into
the pot that Birbal gave him?
Answers
Answer:
Answer to all your questions but pls mark as brainliest
Explanation:
1.Ambassador Max Waldo Bishop was born in Arkansas in 1908. He graduated
from the University of Chicago in 1932. He served in the United States Army
Reserve until entering the Foreign Service in 1935. Ambassador Bishop’s
overseas career included positions in Saudi Arabia, Japan, Thailand and Ceylon.
Ambassador Bishop was interviewed in February 1993 by Thomas F. Conlon.
BISHOP: In 1944 I was assigned as Consul in Colombo, Ceylon. I didn't do much consular
work. My principal duties involved advising our military leaders in Southeast Asia Command on
the various problems which came up, which have been well described in published histories. I
was also assigned as a secretary of the Mission in New Delhi, India, where I was Political
Advisor to General Wedemeyer, then the commanding general of the U. S. Burma-India Theater
of Operations. I knew General Merrill, who commanded Merrill's Marauders in Burma.
2.Emperor Akbar’s durbar (court) was resplendent. The ambassador of the king of Ceylon had arrived laden with precious gems, sweet-smelling spices, rich textiles and exquisite handicrafts. Bowing low he said, “My master asks for your hand in friendship, Sire.’’
“Inform my brother in Ceylon that I am the friend of all who rule their people with justice and mercy,’’ said Akbar. “And now, does your master desire anything from my kingdom? It will be my pleasure to send it to him.’’
The ambassador bowed again to hide the gleam in his eye. Akbar’s great fame had created much jealousy among other kings. The King of Ceylon had plotted for a long time to find a way to lower Akbar’s image in the eyes of the world. “My master asks for only one thing, Sire-a pot full of wisdom,’’ said the ambassador and the complete silence in the court pleased him. His master had sent him with a request that Akbar could never fulfil. Now the world would see he was not such a great emperor after all.
In that pin-drop silence, a confident voice spoke, “The kingdom has many such pots. But they grow in remote areas. We will need one month to bring you one.’’
Akbar was relieved to hear Birbal’s voice and grateful too, that he had not been disgraced in front of his courtiers and the ambassadors of so many lands. But could the clever courtier fulfil his claim?
After the audience, Akbar sent for Berbal to find out how he would produce a pot of wisdom, but Birbal had banished. He had gone to his farm where the pumpkin plants had started flowering. He sent his farm-hand to buy several mud pots with narrow necks and inserted the delicate buds carefully into the narrow necks. Soon the buds would turn into flowers and then grow into pumpkins. Relaxing at his farm, he kept a careful eye on the plants, seeing that they were watered, that the pots did not crack, and that goats did not nibble at the creepers.
After three weeks, Birbal tapped the pots. Instead of the hollow sound made by empty pots, he heard a dull sound as if they were full. The farm-hand was puzzled. “don’t you understand? The pumpkins have grown and filled the pots,’’ explained Birbal.
To himself he said, ‘My master must be anxious. But I’ll wait for one week more before returning to the court.’
Exactly a month after the audience with the Ceylonese ambassador, Birbal appeared before Akbar and said, “Sire, call for a formal durbar. We’ll fulfil the King of Ceylon’s desire.’’
Akbar did so, and to the sound of trumpets and drums, Birbal entered, carrying very carefully. A clay pot, its mouth covered with rich gold brocade and tied with a silver ribbon. Saluting Akbar he said, “ This, Sire, is a pot full of wisdom. I have travelled to the ends of your kingdom to fetch it. It is indeed amazing that the King of Ceylon has learnt of this wonderful product which your empire alone produces.’’
To the ambassador he said, “Don’t crack it. Wisdom is a rare commodity,’’ revealing to him that he had guessed his game.
In his private apartments, Akbar asked Birbal, “How did you fill a pot with wisdom?’’
“It wasn’t difficult, Sire,’’ replied the courtier.
Fetching a pot in which a pumpkin had grown, Birbal cracked it and out rolled a beautiful golden pumpkin! The Emperor clapped his hands in delight.
“Ah, Birbal, you have saved my honour again. Ask me for whatever you wish’’
“I don’t want a pot of wisdom, Sire,’’ said Birbal smiling. “But give me the honour of remaining at your side to deal with any other foolish requests! Akbar gratefully embraced his faithful friend.
Those who try to make fools of others often become fools themselves.