I have a question for you. Are you a person who has more questions than answers, or more answers than questions? 

You may not understand what I mean. In our lives, asking questions and receiving answers to them are so normal that we rarely recognize the patterns in our own behaviors nor in that of others. Enter the stories of Akbar and Birbal.

One day, Emperor Akbar of the Mughal Empire decided to test the intelligence of his court with a challenge:

“Tell me something that will make me sad when I am happy, and happy when I am sad.”

Akbar’s ministers spent many days and nights pondering over his words, yet could find no solution. When he finally demanded an answer, all were silent except for his most clever minister Birbal, who uttered four simple words, “These days will pass.”

Based on the life of Jalal-ud-din Muhammad Akbar, the Emperor of India in 1556, Akbar and his intelligent minister Birbal have been featured in Indian children’s tales for centuries. Readers have loved the short stories of this unlikely duo so much that at least ten television adaptations are available worldwide as well as thousands of printed collections of their adventures. However, it does call into question: what is so special about Akbar and Birbal that has enamored readers for so long?

Birbal’s wit is definitely a highlight of the tales, as seen in the anecdote above. He manages to overcome any of Akbar’s challenges using only his profound intelligence, and is never bested by the emperor. Despite this, Birbal is not the only smart one in this duo. Akbar manages to devise challenges and ask questions that are able to stump even such an intelligent man. Isn’t that also a sign of wisdom?

While the conversations between Akbar and Birbal in the stories have never been confirmed to be true, with Birbal’s existence sometimes being questioned as well, each of us has an Akbar and/or a Birbal in us. Every time we raise our hand in class to ask an intelligent question (not: Can I go to the bathroom?) or do the Wordle on New York Times, we are invoking one of these people. That is perhaps why Akbar and Birbal stories became so famous, because we all share their characteristics.

But the real question here is: Which one is stronger within you? Are you more eager to seek knowledge or to dispense it? Do you feel the most satisfaction when you answer someone’s burning question, or when you test someone’s intelligence against your own?  

There is no right or wrong answer here, but responding to these ideas can reveal to you your fundamental nature and what kind of future you may prefer to have. Engineers spend every day creating solutions to solve problems. Teachers may spend their days answering questions but spend countless hours creating new and engaging stimuli for their students. Philosophers and researchers can only begin their work with the creation of questions. These are just some of the many examples of job prospects out there, but the understanding of what your future may look like can stem from this question.

So I ask you again: Are you a person who has more questions than answers, or more answers than questions?