God and Devotee

Emperor Akbar was a Muslim, but he respected all religions equally. He was eager to learn more about Hinduism. 

"Is it true that according to Hindu legends, Lord Vishnu came to Earth to rescue an elephant that prayed to him?" he once asked Beerbal.

"Yes, Emperor," replied Beerbal. "When Gajendra, the king of the elephants, was caught by a crocodile that wanted to kill him, he prayed to Lord Vishnu. Vishnu heard his prayer and came to save him."

"Why did the Lord himself come to save Gajendra?" asked Akbar. "He could have sent one of his servants. Surely Lord Vishnu has a lot of servants?" 

"I will answer your question in a few days," said Beerbal.

Akbar's young son often strolled with one of his servants in the evening. Beerbal secretly befriended this servant. Beerbal then brought a wax mannequin that looked exactly like the prince. One evening, when the prince was asleep, Beerbal instructed the servant to take the dummy—instead of the prince—for a stroll. The servant did as Beerbal told him.

A little later, the servant ran to Akbar. "Emperor, come quickly!" he said. "The prince has fallen into the pond and doesn't know how to swim." 

When Akbar heard this, he jumped out of his throne and ran toward the pond. When he reached the pond, he jumped in to save his son. He was relieved when he found a wax mannequin that resembled the young prince instead of his son. Beerbal waited for the Emperor to come out of the water.

"What kind of prank is this?" Akbar angrily asked Beerbal. 

"Emperor, why did you jump into the pond?" Beerbal replied. "You could have sent a servant to rescue the prince. You have a lot of servants, don't you?" 

Akbar remembered the question he had asked Beerbal regarding Lord Vishnu. 

"In the same way that you love your son, Lord Vishnu loves his devotees," said Beerbal. "Because of this love, he comes to save them."