Interview part-5:About 'a few and few'- Thru Birbal and friends

After, Akbar left the place, one of the ministers came to Birbal.There was an expression of helplessness and shock on his face.

"Birbal, what is this nonsense called group discussion? Did you have any such discussion before joining this council of ministers? Think...why are you confusing the selection? Now i have a problem. I have promised a relative and made recommendations to Sha-in-sha. How will he get through?"

"Noushad, don't worry. Ask him to practice, gather things; let him seek knowledge.  Bring him to watch our meetings. If he has real stuff, he can end up as assistant to anybody here."

Another minister having grievances against Birbal  (he was also  a bald headed man) tried to corner him.

 “Hey, Birbal, okay, you have won this round. But you must answer these three questions because people say that you are the most brilliant among all of us."

“Let me shoot the first question: How many stars are in the sky?"

Birbal understood the atmosphere and could feel the animosity around him.

 With all the ease and confidence he asked "Let me have the other two. I'll prefer to answer everything in one go."  He decided that his answers should make everybody laugh and then nobody should dare any such foolish question in this court.

The minister fired the next ones “Which is the centre of the earth? Please note question number three: If you break this jar from China, how many pieces will it break into?" He looked at the ministers around him triumphantly. There was a satisfactory smile gleaming across his face.

Within seconds came the booming reply from Birbal “Dear Friend, The total number of stars is equal to the amount of sand in this cup. Open your palms. Receive this sand. Please count them. My equations are correct. When you complete the count you will accept my reply." The entire gathering had hearty laugh.

Birbal continued his AK47 of words “The centre of earth is there, where is the king's throne. Do you see it? If you doubt it, naturally you should have one, please take your measurements from that point. Go east.  Then, come back. Start from the same point, go towards west. Meanwhile, let your assistants move from the same point towards south and north. Do not forget to count the number of steps. When you finish these, surely you will understand the truth in my reply."

"Next one...ehrr... This jar if dropped would break into a few pieces. Let me explain. There are two possibilities. If I drop with little force, the pieces can be easily counted. That is equal to the few hairs on your head. If you break it, then we may get more pieces, that are as many numbers of pieces as your heart getting broken now on listening to this retort."

Suddenly a clap attracted them behind. Akbar emerged from the entrance.

“Real good answers and well said, Birbal."

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Note:

If you wonder why one should ask 'the number of stars and numbers of broken pieces of jars or number of steps you come up  the stairs’ ,  there is a reason behind it.

So don't get irritated.

 These are  called stress questions. They test your immediate response, patience and endurance. They don't look for your correct response. But they assess the speed of your thinking; It is a test on your attitude and  aptitude. It is a test on how you manage the situation.

FEW:

‘Few and little’ without 'a' : There is little water; There is nearly no water. It does not mean ‘no water’.

   There are few people= There are people but nearly zero. But it is not zero.

 For example: 

 It is a conference hall of 1000 people. However, only ten people are there in that big hall. Now we can say that there are few people.

"Few and little " are to be used in negative sense.

 Now imagine, there are fifty people. Now you can say “A few people” are there. 'A few people' means more than nothing. It  should be used in a positive sense.