The VIDYANKER team has thoughtfully prepared the MPBSE Solutions for Class 6 English Reader Chapter 12, "Birbal and the Washerman" These solutions are designed to help you tackle the MPBSE textbook questions with ease. We recommend going through the chapter's theory before diving into the solutions for a deeper understanding. Feel free to share these MPBSE Solutions for Class 6 English Reader with others learning is always better when shared!
This story is one of the famous tales from the court of Emperor Akbar and his wise minister Birbal.
It highlights Birbal’s intelligence, sense of justice, and presence of mind.
Do you know?
Akbar and Birbal stories are very popular in Indian history and folklore.
Birbal was known for his wit, wisdom, and quick thinking.
He always helped Akbar in making fair and just decisions.
Characters
- Akbar – The Emperor of India
- Birbal – The wise minister of Akbar
- Courtiers – The ministers and noblemen in the court
- Town-crier – The man who announces the king’s orders
- Messenger – The one who brings messages to the king
- Denu – The poor washerman
- Kusum – The washerman’s wife
- Denu and Kusum’s children
Scene 1 – In the Palace Balcony (Morning)
Akbar and Birbal are walking in the palace balcony during winter.
Akbar asks Birbal whether the river water is really very cold.
Birbal says yes, it is extremely cold.
Then Akbar wonders if anyone could survive standing in that cold water for a whole night.
Birbal replies that no ordinary man can do so.
Akbar gets an idea and whispers something to Birbal.
🟢 Explanation:
Akbar is curious about testing human endurance and perhaps people’s greed.
This scene shows Akbar’s thoughtful and experimental nature.
Scene 2 – In the Town Market (Afternoon)
A town-crier announces Akbar’s challenge:
“Anyone who stands in the cold water of the river all through the night will get a big reward.”
No one is ready to try.
A poor washerman named Denu hears the announcement.
He tells his wife Kusum that he wants to try because they need money.
Kusum is worried but Denu decides to go, saying he is used to cold water.
🟢 Explanation:
Denu represents poor people who take risks for survival.
His wife’s care shows love and fear of losing him.
Scene 3 – At the River (Night and Next Morning)
Denu stands in the cold river water the entire night.
People pity him and pray for him.
In the morning, he comes out shivering but alive!
Everyone praises him for his bravery.
Kusum thanks God and is proud of her husband.
🟢 Explanation:
Denu proves his courage and determination.
He completes the task honestly.
Scene 4 – In Akbar’s Court (Next Day)
Denu and his family come to the court.
Akbar is about to reward him when a courtier interrupts.
The courtier claims that Denu was kept warm by the light from the palace, so he didn’t truly suffer.
Akbar agrees and cancels the reward.
Denu and his family leave sadly.
Birbal feels disappointed but says nothing.
🟢 Explanation:
This shows how sometimes unfair decisions are made based on wrong reasoning, even by kings.
Scene 5 – Next Day (Morning in Birbal’s House)
Birbal doesn’t come to court.
When Akbar sends a messenger, he says he’s cooking food and will come late.
Akbar gets angry and goes to see him.
He finds Birbal cooking in a strange way — the pot is very high above the fire!
🟢 Explanation:
Birbal’s clever plan to make Akbar realize his mistake begins here.
Scene 6 – Birbal’s House (Continuation)
Akbar laughs and says, “How can your food cook with the pot so far from the fire?”
Birbal smiles and says,
“If this fire can’t cook food from such a distance, how could the lights of your palace warm Denu in the cold river?”
Akbar immediately realizes his mistake and understands Birbal’s wisdom.
🟢 Explanation:
Birbal proves his point logically and tactfully, without directly blaming the king.
Scene 7 – The Next Day in the Court
Akbar calls Denu and his family to the court again.
He gives Birbal the tray of gold coins, and Birbal rewards Denu.
Everyone claps and praises Akbar for his justice.
Denu and his family go home happily.
🟢 Explanation:
Justice is finally served.
Akbar appreciates Birbal’s intelligence and corrects his wrong judgment.
Summary
Akbar wanted to test if anyone could stand in the freezing river water all night.
A poor washerman named Denu did it successfully, but a courtier tricked Akbar into believing Denu stayed warm by the palace lights.
Akbar canceled his reward.
The next day, Birbal taught Akbar a lesson by showing him that distant light cannot give warmth, just like distant fire cannot cook food.
Akbar realized his mistake and rewarded Denu.
This story shows Birbal’s cleverness and Akbar’s fairness.
Message
True justice should never be denied.Wisdom and clever thinking can solve even the most difficult problems.
Solution
1. Word Power
Complete the word puzzle given below with the help of the clues given:
Answer:
- Courtier
- Emperor
- Crown
- Throne
2. Comprehension Questions
Answer in Yes/No:
- Birbal was the King. — ❌ No
- Akbar was a generous King. — ✅ Yes
- Denu was a minister. — ❌ No
- The washerman was a greedy man. — ❌ No
- Kusum does not help her husband. — ❌ No
Say, who said to whom:
1. "Water of this river is very cold." Akbar to Birbal
2. "Win a hundred gold coins, challenge from the King." Town-crier to People / Public
3. "I kept on praying for your safety the whole night." Kusum to Denu
4. "Your Majesty, he is cooking food." Messenger to Akbar
5. "Salutations, Your Majesty." Denu to Akbar
Answer the following questions:
What was Akbar’s challenge?
→ To stand in the cold river water all through the night.
Why was Denu ready to accept the challenge?
→ Because he was poor and wanted to earn the reward to live a better life.
Why didn’t Denu’s wife want to accept the challenge?
→ She was afraid that he might die of cold.
What was the courtier’s objection?
→ The courtier said Denu stayed warm because of the light from the palace.
How did Birbal bring justice to Denu?
→ He showed Akbar that distant light cannot give warmth, just as a distant fire cannot cook food.
Why was Denu very happy at the end?
→ Because he finally received his deserved reward from Akbar.
3. Grammar in Use
(1) Complete the chart:
Adjective Adverb
happy happily
loud loudly
quick quickly
proper properly
thoughtful thoughtfully
beautiful beautifully
successful successfully
helpful helpfully
(2) Fill in the blanks with correct adverbs:
- "Are you really going away to America, Rohan?" said mother.
- The teacher said thoughtfully, "I will find a way to help you."
- The cap seller said sadly, "All my caps are gone."
- The patient slept comfortably after the doctor gave him some medicine.
- Ramesh went home happily after watching the play.
- Once he got his money, he went home quickly.
- The lion roared loudly, "Who woke me up?"
4. Let’s Talk
- Have you seen a snake? — Yes, I have seen one in the garden.
- Have you visited the Taj Mahal? — Yes, I visited it last year.
- Have you travelled in a train? — Yes, many times.
- Have you sailed in a boat? — Yes, during a trip to Varanasi.
- Have you helped someone in need? — Yes, I helped an old man cross the road.
5. Let’s Write
Story – An Akbar and Birbal Story
Once, Emperor Akbar wanted to test Birbal’s wisdom. He drew a line and asked Birbal to make it shorter without touching it. Birbal drew a longer line beside it and said, “Now your line looks shorter.” Akbar was pleased with Birbal’s clever answer.
Moral: Wisdom is greater than strength.
6. Let’s Do It
Complete the chart about Akbar’s qualities:
Akbar’s Qualities
Wise
Brave
Kind
Just
Generous
Intelligent
Fair
