5
Asked which finger mattered most, Birbal chose the humble thumb that helps every other act.
Swordsmen praised the index, scribes the middle for its balance. Birbal raised his hand and clasped his thumb into his palm; suddenly the hand could not hold a cup, a pen, or a promise. He bowed to the emperor: the noblest part is often the helper. The court nodded, and rings on proud fingers felt a little lighter.
