Once an old man, Ramdas, thought of going on a pilgrimage but he was worried about his money so before setting out on a pilgrimage to the holy places, he had entrusted a jar containing money to his neighbor, Govind.

Ramdas returned six months later and went to his neighbors house and asked for the jar. Govind returned the jar to him, but the money was not there in the jar.

It had been replaced with mango pickle. Confused Ramdas went to Govind's house and asked for his money but Govind denied that he had not taken his money. Nobody could help Ramdas and finally he complained to the emperor.

Akbar asked Birbal to decide the case. Birbal carefully examined the jar of pickle.

"Are you sure this is the same jar that was given to you?" he asked Govind." Yes," said Govind. "That was the jar that was entrusted to my care six months ago."

"And now it contains pickle," said Birbal. "It must always have contained pickle, I never looked inside it" said Govind.

Birbal sent for some women from the royal kitchen and when they came Birbal asked them to inspect the pickle.

"How old is the pickle?" he asked them. "Less than a month old," said the women. "The mango pieces are still fresh." Turning towards Govind, Birbal said that he was lying & he should confess in front of the king and he shall be pardoned.

Govind admitted to the theft and begged for mercy.