A man was brought to Akbar's court and he found the man guilt of a little offense. HE decided to punish the man and asked him to make a statement. If the statement is held true by Akbar, the man will be killed by hanging him to death and if the statement is held false, the man will be killed by giving poison.
The man was confused. He did not know what to say. Therefore, he looked at Birbal and asked for suggestion. Birbal thought for a while and decided to help him, as he had not committed a major offense. He told something in his ear and the man then said the statement to Akbar.
After hearing the statement, Akbar could not kill him. What was the statement?
Solution:
The man said, 'I will be killed by giving poison.'
If Akbar says the statement is true, the man will be killed by hanging which will make his statement false.
If Akbar says the statement is false, the man will be killed by giving poison which will make the statement true.
Thus Akbar had no choice but to leave the man unpunished.