You eventually make the choice to save. Maybe for a trip, maybe for a gadget, or maybe just to feel like you are finally on solid ground. You create a budget, feel proud of yourself for the discipline, and then one weekend there is a massive sale. Your friend invites you out. You say to yourself, “Just this once,” and swipe the card. A few days later, you sit staring at your account wondering where all your hard-earned money went. Sounds familiar? We have all been there, caught between our intention and impulse.

Now imagine this same scenario playing out, not in your living room, but in Emperor Akbar’s royal court. A man claims he is poor, even though he makes good money. Akbar is confused. Birbal simply states, “He makes money to please others, but is not in a position to please himself.” The courtiers chuckled, but the words stung. Despite being wrapped in humour and wit, Birbal’s stories often tackled the same issues we face today – comparison, overspending, impatience, and lack of clarity.

Although the setting was royal and the communication was artful, the messages behind Akbar and Birbal’s encounters are remarkably pragmatic. No matter if it is learning to live within our means or parameters, being able to consider the future, or not falling victim to temptations – while their wisdom is rooted in the past, it can certainly inform today’s money decisions with just a bit more humour and a whole lot more sense. Continue reading if you want to learn how these very old stories can help you make smarter, calmer, and more confidently informed decisions with your money.

One time, a man complained to the king that a neighbour had stolen a gold coin, even though there was no evidence. Akbar did not know how to handle it, so he asked Birbal for advice. Birbal took both men and presented a sealed pot of ghee. Then he said he was going to cast a spell and the one who stole the coin would the shrink his pot of ghee overnight. The next day, the guilty man was so frightened that he cut off a little bit of his pot of ghee and in doing so, revealed who the guilty man was.

Just as the man was terrified, we are often guilty of making bad decisions about money out of fear or guilt. You spend because you feel you must keep up with others even when you may be struggling financially and are denying your challenge instead of facing it. The first step of financial wellness is honesty: you must be aware that money is flowing and to honestly reflect upon how you are making purchasing decisions.

One day Akbar asked his courtiers, “What is the most valuable thing in the world?” Some said gold, others said land or jewels. Birbal said, “Contentment.” Everyone else said a person who is content does not overspend, does not envy, and does not live in a constant state of wanting. Everyone else said that was clearly the wisest answer.

Being content is the best way to avoid financial disaster in a world of constant temptation and comparison. If you are chasing more always, you will always feel like you have less. A lot of the time living a stable financial life means being willing to know when you have enough.

In another story, Birbal invited a poor man to be his guest for dinner at the palace. When the man arrived, the food was placed near a lamp at the far side of the room. The man looked at the lamp and said, “I cannot eat from way over there.” Birbal smiled and said to Akbar, “That is how your policies feel to the poor – they feel hopeful, but it is really out of reach.”

Wanting to achieve financial success is as pointless as wishing until you take action. Having a goal only makes sense if you take action to achieve the goal, i.e. budgeting, savings, and investing regularly. Even an excellent financial plan only matters when the right actions are taken.

Akbar once gave Birbal twelve bananas and asked him to divide them among four men. Birbal gave five to one, four to another, two to the third, and just one to the last. When questioned, he said the last man lives simply, while the rest need more to feel satisfied.

Your financial plan should suit your lifestyle and values. Some people need less to feel secure and happy, while others require more. What matters is that your spending, saving, and investing reflect your priorities — not someone else’s Instagram life.

Once upon a time, Akbar challenged Birbal to tell him how many crows lived in the city. Without missing a beat, Birbal gave an answer of, “Eighty thousand and two.” When Akbar asked how he could be so sure, Birbal replied, “If you count more, their relatives are on visit. If less, they went to visit theirs.”

Life does not always go exactly as planned. There will be job changes, emergencies and unexpected expenses. Your financial plan should be like Birbal’s answer: confident but flexible. Build an emergency fund; you have insurance; and have space in your plan for life events.

Akbar once ordered the painting of the donkey without painting one. Birbal painted a green field and said, “The donkey has gone out to graze.” Everyone in the court laughed, but the lesson was clear.

In personal finance, we tend to make a lot of things more complicated than they really are. All the fancy tools, risky investments, and shortcuts will not always help you. Most of what you will ever do for financial stability comes from simple habits: Greedily tracking your expenses, save first then spend, and consistently keeping to your plan. Do not underestimate the effectiveness of simplicity when executed well, and simplicity is sometimes the smartest you can do.

One day, a farmer complained to Akbar that a rich landowner had sold him a well and refused to let him draw water, saying, “I sold you the well, not the water.” Akbar asked Birbal for a solution. Birbal said, “If the water still belongs to the seller, then he has no right to keep it in the farmer’s well. He should either remove it or allow the farmer to use it.” The landowner had nothing to say, and justice was served.

Always read the fine print, especially when it comes to money. A loan agreement, an investment, a contract – whatever it may be, don’t be dazzled by the obvious or by someone’s emotional limitations. Ask questions, and get clarity, reflect and don’t react without thinking. A little clarity today can lead to a major financial mistake tomorrow.

While the tales of Akbar and Birbal may be hundreds of years old, the reminders live on – especially when it comes to money. From remembering that people are not worth anything more than their big appetites to learning to pause and think first rather than react, these stories are touting the need for clarity, patience, and self-awareness in good financial choices.

Sometimes in a world of noise, the reminder of how to spend wisely, save wisely, and live with less stress is just a story away. Be like Birbal. It’s worth it!