Tenali Ramakrishna stories are like moral stories that teach us ways to deal with life challenges with humour, intelligence, strategy, dharma, and affection. Once upon a time, in the grand kingdom of Vijayanagara, King Krishnadevaraya decided to enhance his cavalry. He wanted his horses to be strong and healthy to serve the kingdom. To achieve this, the king purchased many fine horses and distributed them among his horsemen. Each horseman was given money and a supply of horse gram to properly nurture and feed their horse. The king also made an exciting announcement, “Whoever nurtures their horse the best will be rewarded with a special prize.” Among the courtiers was Tenali Ramakrishna, the witty and wise poet known for his cleverness and humor. Hearing the king’s proclamation, Tenali Rama approached Krishnadevaraya and requested, “Your Majesty, may I also take part in this challenge? I would love the opportunity to rear a horse.” Amused by Tenali’s unusual request, the king agreed. He provided Tenali Rama with a horse and the necessary supplies. Excited about his new task, Tenali took the horse home. But, as usual, Tenali’s approach to the task was quite different. Tenali Rama built a small enclosure for the horse in his backyard. However, the enclosure was unusual—it had four sturdy walls but no door for the horse to come out. Instead, there was a small opening just large enough for the horse to put its head through. Tenali would feed the horse a meager portion of grass—around 8 to 10 sticks—both in the morning and evening. The horse, naturally hungry, would eagerly pull the grass from Tenali’s hand and gobble it up in a hurry. Days passed, and the horse grew thinner and weaker. Tenali, however, continued with his peculiar method of feeding. The Court Scholar’s Jealousy In the king’s court, there was a scholar named Shastry. Known for his long beard and sharp tongue, Shastry was envious of Tenali Rama’s popularity. When Tenali had expressed his wish to rear a horse, Shastry had laughed at him, mocking his ability to handle such a task. Fifteen days later, the king called for all the horsemen to bring their horses to the palace so he could inspect them. The horsemen proudly displayed their well-fed and strong horses. But Tenali Rama and his horse were nowhere to be seen. Curious, the king sent a servant to fetch Tenali and his horse. When the servant arrived at Tenali’s house, Tenali explained, “My Lord, I have tried my best since morning to bring the horse to the court, but it refuses to move. Perhaps Your Majesty can send a strong man to help.” Hearing this, the king called upon his horsemen to bring the horse. But Tenali stopped them and suggested, “Since the horse is very stubborn, maybe someone knowledgeable, like a scholar, should try. They might succeed where others fail.” The king turned to Shastry and said, “You are a learned man and skilled in many things. Perhaps you can bring Tenali’s horse to the palace.” Shastry, eager to prove his superiority, scoffed, “Of course, Your Majesty! It is a simple task. Let us go!” Accompanied by a few soldiers, Shastry arrived at Tenali’s house. Tenali led him to the small enclosure and pointed at the opening. “Shastry, my horse is shy. You can see it through this opening,” he said. Shastry peered through the small opening. Inside, the hungry horse saw Shastry’s long beard, which to the starving animal looked like a bundle of dry grass. Without warning, the horse lunged forward and bit down on Shastry’s beard, tugging it fiercely. Shastry screamed in pain, “Oh, my beard! Help me!” The soldiers rushed to demolish the walls of the enclosure, but the horse refused to let go of Shastry’s beard. Tenali, barely suppressing his laughter, remarked, “Oh dear, Shastry, it seems even a starving horse has found a way to show its strength!” With great difficulty, the soldiers brought the horse—still holding onto Shastry’s beard—to the palace. The sight of Shastry being dragged by the horse caused everyone in the court, including the king, to burst into laughter. Finally, the sound of other horses neighing distracted Tenali’s horse, and it released Shastry’s beard. Exhausted and embarrassed, Shastry quickly fled from the court. When the king examined Tenali’s horse, he was shocked. The animal was frail, weak, and barely able to stand. “Tenali Rama, what have you done? Look at your horse! It is nothing like the others,” the king scolded. Tenali calmly replied, “Your Majesty, the horse is indeed weak because it was given only a small amount of food. But even in this state, it managed to trouble Shastry. Imagine what it might have done if it had been fed properly!” The court erupted in laughter again, but the king grew serious. “Tenali, your antics have caused great embarrassment to Shastry. This is not right.” At that moment, Shastry returned to the court, looking humble. He addressed the king, “Your Majesty, it is not Tenali’s fault. Today, I have learned a valuable lesson. My arrogance made me look down upon Tenali, but he has shown me the importance of humility. From now on, I consider him my teacher.” Hearing this, Tenali was deeply moved. He embraced Shastry and thanked him for his kind words. The king, pleased by the turn of events, praised Tenali’s wisdom and presented him with valuable gifts. The Moral of the Story: Tenali Rama’s cleverness and wit not only entertained the court but also taught an important lesson: arrogance can lead to one’s downfall, and humility is the mark of true wisdom. From that day on, Shastry and Tenali became good friends, and the story of the clever poet and the hungry horse was remembered by all.

Tenali Ramakrishna stories are like moral stories that teach us ways to deal with life challenges with humour, intelligence, strategy, dharma, and affection. In a small village, there lived a simple and honest man. He was hardworking and had saved some money over the years. One day, he decided to go on a pilgrimage to visit sacred places and seek blessings. However, the journey was long, and he had to travel on foot. He worried about carrying his money with him because the roads were dangerous, and there was a constant threat of thieves and dacoits. After thinking it over, the man decided to leave his money in the care of a wealthy man in the village whom he trusted. But instead of handing over the money at the rich man’s house, he gave it to him under a mango tree in the village. With that, he began his pilgrimage, feeling relieved that his money was in safe hands. Months passed, and the innocent man safely returned to the village after completing his pilgrimage. He was grateful for the journey and was eager to retrieve his money. He went straight to the rich man’s house and politely asked him to return the money he had left in his care. The rich man, however, had different intentions. He had assumed the poor man would either die during his journey or never return. Seeing the man alive and standing before him, the rich man decided to deny everything. “Poor fellow, what are you talking about?” the rich man said. “You must have lost your mind after your long journey. How could you, a poor man, have such a large sum of money to give me? Any witnesses is there?” The innocent man was taken aback. “Why are you speaking like this?” he pleaded. “Don’t you remember? I gave you the money under the mango tree before I left for my pilgrimage.” The rich man laughed mockingly. “Nonsense! You’re just making up stories. If you continue with this foolishness, people will laugh at you. Leave my house immediately!” Heartbroken, the poor man left without saying another word. He didn’t know what to do or how to get his money back. The next morning, he decided to seek the help of Tenali Ramakrishna, a wise and clever poet who served in the court of King Krishnadevaraya. Tenali Rama listened to the poor man’s story with great attention. He consoled the man and assured him that justice would be served. “We will solve this matter there.” When they arrived at the court, Tenali Rama informed King Krishnadevaraya about the situation. The king ordered the rich man to be brought to the court immediately. Once both men were present, Tenali Rama questioned the rich man. “Why are you refusing to return the money that the poor man entrusted to you?” he asked. “Sir, I don’t even know this man,” the rich man replied confidently. “I have never seen him before. How can I possibly have his money? And if he claims he gave me money, where is his proof? Are there any witnesses?” Tenali Rama turned to the poor man and asked, “Do you have any witnesses to support your claim?” The poor man shook his head sadly. “No, sir. I don’t have any witnesses. I gave him the money under a mango tree, trusting him completely.” Tenali Rama nodded thoughtfully. “Ah, the mango tree,” he said. “tree must be a witness. Here’s what you should do: go to the mango tree and tell it that it is the king’s order to come to the court and give its testimony.” The poor man was puzzled. “sadly he told to Tenali Rmakrishna, how can a tree come to court?” he asked, confused. “It’s just a tree. It cannot move or speak.” “Do not question my instructions,” Tenali Rama replied with a smile. “Just do as I say. Go to the mango tree and tell it what I have told you.” The poor man, though doubtful, agreed and left for the mango tree. An hour passed, and Tenali Rama looked at the rich man. “Why is the poor man taking long time? What could be delaying him?” The rich man, without thinking, replied, “Sir, the mango tree is four miles from here. It will take time for him to go there and return.” Tenali Rama smiled to himself but said nothing. The poor man eventually returned, looking tired and weary. “Sir,” he said, “I went to the mango tree as you instructed, but it did not speak or move. I couldn’t bring it here.” Tenali Rama laughed and turned to the rich man. “The mango tree has already given its testimony,” he said. The rich man was startled. “What do you mean?” he asked nervously. “When did the tree come here? How can a tree give testimony? Trees cannot walk or talk!” Tenali Rama’s expression turned serious. “You are right,” he said. “Your own words have betrayed you. If you claim you didn’t take the money, how did you know the mango tree is four miles away? That is enough proof that you were there when the poor man gave you the money.” The rich man’s face turned pale. He realized he had been outsmarted. “I… I am sorry, sir,” he stammered. “I made a mistake. Please forgive me.” King Krishnadevaraya, impressed by Tenali Rama’s cleverness, ordered the rich man to return the poor man’s money immediately. The rich man obeyed, trembling with fear. He handed over the money to the poor man and apologized for his dishonesty. The king also punished the rich man by sentencing him to a few days in prison as a lesson to others. The poor man was overjoyed to have his money back and thanked Tenali Rama for his intelligence and kindness. From that day on, the villagers admired Tenali Rama even more for his ability to deliver justice with wisdom and wit. The moral of the story is: “Honesty is

Tenali Ramakrishna stories are like moral stories that teach us ways to deal with life challenges with humour, intelligence, strategy, dharma, and affection. In the kingdom of Vijayanagara ruled by the wise and powerful King Krishnadevaraya, there lived a skilled barber. This barber was an expert in his craft and had been specially appointed by the king to attend to his grooming needs. The king was very pleased with the barber’s exceptional work, as he always ensured the king’s appearance was impeccable. One morning, King Krishnadevaraya summoned the barber to shave his face. However, the barber was delayed and did not arrive on time. The king, having waited for a while, grew tired and decided to take a short nap. Meanwhile, the barber finally reached the palace and, upon entering the king’s chamber, saw the king fast asleep. Rather than waking the king, the barber decided to proceed with the shave while the king was still asleep. With his steady hands and a sharp razor, he carefully shaved the king’s face to perfection, ensuring he caused no discomfort to the sleeping monarch. When the king woke up, he found the barber standing beside him. Surprised, he asked, “Why are you here now? I waited for you and fell asleep. Come on, shave my face quickly!” The barber bowed respectfully and said, “My Lord, please forgive me for my delay. But to ensure your day begins cheerfully, I have already shaved your face while you were asleep. If you wish, you may look in the mirror.” The king looked into the mirror and was amazed to see how beautifully his face had been shaved. Delighted by the barber’s skill and quick thinking, the king showered him with praise and rewarded him with fine gifts. News of this extraordinary incident spread throughout the kingdom like wildfire. While most people admired the barber’s ingenuity, some of the courtiers, who were jealous of Tenali Ramakrishna, the royal jester, saw an opportunity to create trouble. They began plotting against Tenali Ramakrishna, hoping to discredit him in the king’s eyes. These courtiers approached the barber and said, “You are truly talented, and even the king has acknowledged your skills. Why settle for being just a barber? You should ask the king to appoint you as the court jester, just like Tenali Ramakrishna.” The barber, being humble and content with his position, politely declined, saying, “I am already satisfied with the king’s favor and the recognition he has given me.” However, the courtiers were relentless. They continued to pressure and persuade the barber until he finally agreed to make the request, although reluctantly. The next time the barber went to the palace to shave the king’s face, he completed his work as usual and then hesitantly said, “Maharaja, I have a request. I am growing weary of my duties as a barber. I wish to serve you in a different capacity. Kindly appoint me as the court jester.” Without giving the matter much thought, King Krishnadevaraya agreed. The barber, overjoyed, left the palace brimming with excitement, unaware of the storm brewing in the background. When Tenali Ramakrishna heard about this unusual decision, he did not react immediately. Instead, he devised a clever plan to make the king realize the absurdity of appointing the barber as the court jester. Tenali Ramakrishna went out into the streets of the capital and found a black dog. He took the dog to a nearby water tank, which was located in a busy part of the city. There, he began dipping the dog into the water and rubbing its body with sand as though he was trying to change its color. Passersby stopped to watch this bizarre scene, unable to comprehend what Tenali Ramakrishna was doing. Curious, one of them asked, “What are you doing, Ramakrishna? Why are you rubbing sand on this black dog?” With a serious expression, Tenali replied, “I am trying to turn this black dog white.” The crowd burst into laughter. Another person said, “What kind of foolishness is this? A black dog can never turn white, no matter how much you rub it!” Tenali Ramakrishna shrugged and said, “Why not? In this kingdom, impossible things are becoming possible. If a barber can become a court jester, why can’t a black dog turn white?” The people immediately understood that Tenali Ramakrishna was making a point. Word of his peculiar activity and sharp words quickly reached King Krishnadevaraya. The king, intrigued, came to the tank in his royal chariot to see what was happening. There, he found Tenali Ramakrishna still rubbing the dog with sand. “Ramakrishna, what are you doing? Have you lost your senses? People say you are trying to turn a black dog white. Is this true?” the king asked. Tenali Ramakrishna stopped what he was doing, stood up, and said, “Why not, my Lord? If it is possible for a barber to become the royal jester, surely it is possible for a black dog to turn white.” Hearing this, the king immediately realized his mistake. He understood that Tenali Ramakrishna’s clever demonstration was meant to highlight the folly of appointing the barber as a court jester without considering his actual abilities. King Krishnadevaraya ordered that the barber should continue in his role as the royal barber, a position he was well-suited for, and not take up the role of the court jester. The barber, too, was relieved, as he had never truly desired the position in the first place. As for the jealous courtiers, their plan to humiliate Tenali Ramakrishna backfired, leaving them disheartened. From that day onward, they dared not meddle with the clever and witty Tenali Ramakrishna again. Thus, Tenali Ramakrishna once again proved his brilliance and ensured that merit and reason prevailed in the kingdom of Vijayanagara. The king was grateful for his wisdom and continued to hold him in high esteem, while the people marveled at his sharp mind and sense of justice. The moral from the Tenali Ramakrishna stories: Every

Tenali Ramakrishna stories are like moral stories that teach us ways to deal with life challenges with humour, intelligence, strategy, dharma, and affection. In the grand kingdom of Vijayanagar, ruled by the wise and powerful King Krishnadevaraya, a diverse assembly of scholars, poets, and intellectuals frequently gathered. The kingdom was known for its greatness of art, culture, and intellectual pursuits, making it a beacon of enlightenment in India. Among these brilliant minds, one man stood out as a legend—Tenali Ramakrishna, the court jester whose sharp wit and unmatched intelligence often proved invaluable to the king. One day, a famous scholar arrived at the court, gaining immediate attention for his extraordinary linguistic prowess. This man, not only well-versed in various subjects, prided himself on his ability to speak multiple languages with ease. He boasted to the courtiers, claiming he could converse fluently in nearly every language spoken across the vast Indian subcontinent. To demonstrate his skill, the scholar began engaging in lively conversations with the courtiers in different languages, switching seamlessly from one tongue to another. His performance left the court in awe. Encouraged by their admiration, the scholar grew more confident—perhaps too confident. “I challenge anyone in this court,” he declared, his voice ringing with pride, “to determine my mother tongue. I assure you, it’s a task you won’t accomplish.” The courtiers, intrigued by the challenge, tried their best to uncover the scholar’s native language. They engaged him in discussions, tested him with clever wordplay, and even attempted to provoke him into revealing it by slipping into casual conversations. But no matter how hard they tried, the scholar remained composed and articulate in every language he spoke, leaving them baffled. Seeing the courtiers fail, the scholar’s self-assurance turned into shame. He wore a triumphant expression, as if he had already won a significant victory over the court. King Krishnadevaraya, observing the situation, grew curious and decided to turn to his most trusted aide, Tenali Ramakrishna. “Ramakrishna,” the king said, his tone carrying both curiosity and expectation, “I believe you are the only one capable of solving this mystery. Can you uncover this scholar’s mother tongue?” Tenali Ramakrishna, who had been quietly observing the scholar’s antics from the sidelines, smiled confidently. “Of course, Your Majesty,” he replied with a calm demeanor. “I will uncover the truth, but I will need one day to accomplish the task.” The king agreed and gave Ramakrishna the necessary time, trusting in his unparalleled ingenuity. Tenali immediately began devising a plan. That evening, as the court prepared a grand dinner to honor the esteemed scholar, Tenali took charge of ensuring that the visitor was treated with the utmost hospitality. He arranged a sumptuous feast, featuring the finest delicacies of the kingdom, ensuring that the scholar’s appetite was more than satisfied. The scholar, pleased with the lavish treatment, ate to his heart’s content. After the feast, Tenali arranged for the scholar to rest in a palace, where the gentle summer breeze wafted through open windows, creating an atmosphere of perfect comfort. The scholar, feeling completely at ease, removed his upper garment, stretched out on the soft bed, and quickly drifted into a deep and peaceful sleep. Late at night, when the palace was silent, Tenali Ramakrishna quietly made his way to the scholar’s chamber. Armed with a slender stick, he approached the sleeping man with very care, ensuring that his movements were silent. Then, with a precise motion, Tenali lightly poked the scholar in the stomach with the stick. The unexpected pain jolted the scholar awake. Startled and disoriented, he cried out in his native language, “Evudara Adi!”—which, in Telugu, means “Who is that?” Tenali, hearing the outburst, smiled to himself. His plan had worked perfectly. Without uttering a word, he slipped out of the room and returned to his quarters, satisfied that he had discovered the scholar’s mother tongue. The following morning, the court gathered once again. The scholar, still confident that no one could uncover his secret, stood before the assembly, his expression one of quiet triumph. King Krishnadevaraya turned to Tenali Ramakrishna and asked, “Well, Ramakrishna, have you discovered the truth?” Ramakrishna stepped forward with his smile. “Yes, Your Majesty,” he said, addressing the scholar. “Your mother tongue is Telugu.” The scholar’s eyes widened in shock. “Yes, that’s correct!” he exclaimed, his voice tinged with astonishment. “But how could you possibly know?” Tenali chuckled, his tone light yet tinged with the wisdom of his years. “It is a simple truth,” he explained. “When we are startled or in pain, we instinctively revert to the language of our childhood—the one closest to our hearts. Last night, when you were startled awake, you cried out in Telugu. That is how I knew.” The court erupted in applause, impressed by Tenali Ramakrishna’s cleverness. The scholar, though initially taken aback, eventually joined in the applause, acknowledging the ingenuity of Tenali’s approach. King Krishnadevaraya, delighted by the outcome, praised Tenali warmly. “Once again, Ramakrishna, you have proven why you are the jewel of this court,” he said, his voice filled with admiration. “Your wit and intelligence are unmatched, and your contributions continue to bring honor to Vijayanagar.” The scholar, humbled by the experience, admitted that he had underestimated the brilliance of the court and its famed jester. “I came here seeking to test the wisdom of this court,” he said, bowing respectfully to the king and Tenali. “But instead, I leave having learned a valuable lesson in humility.” Thus, Tenali Ramakrishna’s reputation as a man of sharp intellect and humor grew even stronger. His ability to solve complex problems with simple yet ingenious methods made him a beloved figure not only in the court but also among the people of the kingdom. Tales of his cleverness spread far and wide, ensuring that his legacy would endure for generations. In the vibrant streets and humble villages of Vijayanagar, people retold the story of how Tenali Ramakrishna outwitted the proud scholar. They marveled at his wit and celebrated his unwavering

Tenali Ramakrishna stories are like moral stories that teach us ways to deal with life challenges with humor, intelligence, strategy, dharma, and affection. Once, in the prosperous Vijayanagar Empire, king Krishnadevaraya known for his fairness and love for knowledge, he had gathered a court full of scholars, poets, and thinkers from all over the kingdom. Among these talented individuals was Tenali Ramakrishna, a quick-witted poet and jester famous for his sharp humor and keen intelligence. Ramakrishna had an extraordinary ability to use humor not just to entertain but also to convey profound insights. One day, the king, impressed by Tenali Ramakrishna’s intelligence and humor, decided that Ramakrishna deserved a greater honor. He wanted to formally recognize Tenali Ramakrishna’s contribution to the court and the kingdom by appointing him as an official court poet and scholar. To the king, Tenali Ramakrishna was more than a mere jester; he saw him as a wise man whose words carried wisdom beneath the laughter. With this noble intention in mind, King Krishnadevaraya called Tenali Ramakrishna to his side and spoke with sincerity, “Ramakrishna, you are a treasure of this court. I wish to honor you by officially making you a court poet and scholar.” However, Ramakrishna, with his usual modesty and humility, bowed respectfully and replied, “My Lord, I am deeply grateful for your kindness and trust, but I must admit that I am not a scholar. I have not studied the sacred scriptures nor delved into the knowledge of the learned men you have in your court. I am, in truth, only a humble jester, here to bring a little laughter and ease. I wish to remain as I am—a jester and nothing more.” The king, who had expected gratitude and acceptance, was both surprised and a little displeased by Ramakrishna’s response. It seemed to him that Ramakrishna was undervaluing the honor he was being offered. Feeling annoyed, the king spoke sternly, “If you do not wish to accept the title of court poet, then do not show your face to me from tomorrow onward.” Ramakrishna, though surprised by the king’s tone, understood his feelings. Without arguing further, he simply accepted the king’s command. Bowing deeply, he took his leave, thinking of the strange ways the world often dealt with humor and honesty. The following day, the court assembled as usual. Many scholars, ministers, and courtiers had gathered, each absorbed in their own thoughts and discussions. The king, seated on his grand throne, looked around the court for Ramakrishna but could not see him. He suddenly recalled his command from the previous day and thought, “Ramakrishna must have taken my words to heart and stayed away.” Despite his irritation from the day before, the king felt regret, as Ramakrishna’s absence made the court seem less lively. The court proceedings continued, and the day’s matters were discussed in detail. As the session was about to end, a curious figure appeared at the entrance of the court. Every eye turned to look at this strange newcomer. The figure wore fine, royal robes, but his face was covered by a large clay pot. Two small holes had been made in the pot so that the person could see, but otherwise, his face was entirely concealed. The king looked on in surprise, unsure of who this mysterious figure might be. Then, the figure raised his hand in greeting and called out loudly, “Victory to the king!” His voice was unmistakable—it was Tenali Ramakrishna. The king, recognizing him at once, but curious about his odd attire, asked with a raised eyebrow, “Who are you?” The man, in a respectful tone, replied, “My Lord, I am the humorist of this court, your humble servant.” The king, pretending not to understand, continued to question him, “We have no official humorist. Who are you?” With a bow, the figure answered, “Indeed, my Lord, I am a courtier, a servant of this honorable assembly.” “Then why this dress? Why are you in disguise?, and why are you hiding your face?” . “As you ordered, my king, yesterday you instructed me not to show my face to you. So, in obedience to your command, I have hidden my face beneath this pot.” The court erupted in laughter at Ramakrishna’s ingenious interpretation of the king’s words. Everyone, including Krishnadevaraya, was amused by the clever way Ramakrishna had chosen to follow the king’s order to the letter while still honoring his duty as a courtier.  Seeing the brilliance in Ramakrishna’s actions, the king’s annoyance melted away, replaced by deep admiration for his wit. He laughed heartily and declared, “Oh, Ramakrishna, you never fail to surprise me. Your wisdom is as deep as your humor. You truly are the jewel of this court. Please, remove that pot and show your face.” Tenali Ramakrishna, smiling beneath the pot, took it off and respectfully bowed to the king. The king embraced him warmly, acknowledging both his loyalty and his wit. “You are the real humorist, the one who can teach and entertain with laughter. No title or post could truly capture your worth.” Ramakrishna, touched by the king’s warmth, replied humbly, “My Lord, I only seek to serve you in my own way. I am grateful to have the chance to bring laughter and, perhaps, a little wisdom into this honorable court.” From that day onward, Tenali Ramakrishna continued to serve the court, not as a formal scholar or poet, but as the beloved jester who brightened everyone’s day and reminded them of the power of humor. His sharp mind and quick wit became a cherished asset in the Vijayanagar Empire, and he remained close to the king, who valued his unique way of seeing the world. Moral of the Story: The story of Tenali Ramakrishna teaches us that wisdom and intelligence are not always found in titles or honors. True wisdom often lies in understanding the human heart and finding creative ways to solve problems, even through humor. Ramakrishna’s cleverness shows that the power of laughter

Tenali Ramakrishna stories are like moral stories that teach us ways to deal with life challenges with humor, intelligence, strategy, dharma, and affection. In the kingdom of Vijayanagara, King Krishnadevaraya ruled with wisdom and fairness. Among his most trusted advisors was Tenali Rama, a man famous for his wit, intelligence, and quick thinking. Known throughout the land for solving the most difficult problems, Tenali was not just a courtier but a beacon of wisdom, often coming up with solutions that no one else could have imagined. One day, a peculiar problem arose that called for Tenali’s unique insight. As King Krishnadevaraya sat upon his throne one fine morning, tending to his daily affairs, a loud disturbance erupted outside the palace gates. Hearing the uproar, the king quickly sent his guards to investigate. After a few moments, a village leader was escorted into the court. “Your Majesty,” the village leader said, bowing low before the king, “our village is in desperate need of your help. We are plagued by rats, which have destroyed our crops, spoiled our food stores, and caused chaos in our homes. We have tried everything, but we are overwhelmed. Please, save us from this disaster!” King Krishnadevaraya, known for his compassionate nature, nodded. “Do not worry. I will ensure that this problem is solved,” he said, turning to his advisors for guidance. The king’s ministers, after hearing the village leader’s plea, began for a solution. One of the ministers stood and spoke confidently: “Your Majesty, it is well known that cats are the natural enemies of rats. If we distribute a cat to each household in the village, the cats will surely take care of the rat infestation.” Another minister, however, raised a valid concern: “But what will the villagers feed the cats? Many villagers are poor and may not have enough food to care for the animals.” After thinking for a moment, the first minister replied, “We could give each family a cow along with the cat. The cows will provide milk, which the villagers can use to feed the cats.” The king, pleased with this idea, approved the plan. To help get rid of the rats, every home in the village was given a cat and a cow. Initially, the villagers were hopeful. They fed the cats milk from their cows daily, expecting the cats to hunt down the rats. However, as days turned into weeks, a strange development occurred. Instead of catching rats, the cats became plump and lazy. Well-fed and comfortable, the cats had no interest in chasing down the rats. The rodent problem persisted, and the villagers grew frustrated. Tenali Rama, who had been observing the situation closely, realized that something was wrong. “If these cats are fed milk all the time, they won’t even try to catch rats,” he thought. “Why would cats think for their food?” Determined to prove his point, Tenali came up with a clever experiment. The next day, he put a bowl of hot milk down for one of the cats. The unsuspecting cat eagerly approached the milk and took a sip, only to burn its tongue. Startled and in pain, the cat fled, never touching milk again. From that moment on, the cat began hunting rats to satisfy its hunger. Soon enough, the household was free of rats, while the other villagers continued to deal with the persistent pests. Sometime later, King Krishnadevaraya wanted to evaluate the effectiveness of the solution. The king called the villagers to the palace and told them to bring their cats. Many of the villagers complained that their cats were still not hunting rats, and the rat infestation continued to plague their homes. One villager explained a different story. “Your Majesty, the rats are no more from my house. My cat has been hunting them tirelessly.” Intrigued, the king asked, “Why is your cat hunting, while the others have become lazy? Are you not feeding it milk like the others?” Before the villager could say anything, Tenali Rama stepped in a big smile on his face. “Your Majesty, this cat doesn’t drink milk anymore.” Astonished, the king asked, “How can that be? A cat refusing milk is unheard of!” Tenali Rama, ever the showman, requested a bowl of milk to be brought into the court. When the bowl was placed in front of the cat, it backed away in fear, refusing to go near it. The court was baffled. “What’s going on here, Tenali?” the king asked, after seeing the strange behavior. Then Tenali explained, “Your Majesty, I once gave a bowl of hot milk to this cat. It burned its tongue, and since then, it has been afraid of milk. Now that it no longer relies on milk, the cat hunts the rats in order to survive.” The Moral of the Story: The story of Tenali Rama and the cat’s lesson is more than just an amusing tale—it is a story of ingenuity, resourcefulness, and the importance of thinking critically. Through humor and cleverness, Tenali shows us that life’s challenges can often be overcome by looking at things from a different perspective. His cat may have run away from milk, but the lesson it left behind still resonates with us today. Important points to understand from this story: King Krishnadevaraya, now understanding the deeper issue, turned to his ministers. “The idea to give the villagers cats and cows was well-intentioned, but it overlooked a key detail. By providing the cats with milk every day, we made them lazy and unwilling to hunt.” Tenali Rama, always ready with a lesson, added, “When creatures—or people—are given everything without the need to work for it, they lose their drive and motivation. True solutions must consider the instincts and needs of those involved.” The king nodded, impressed with Tenali’s wisdom. He ordered his ministers to rethink their approach and find a better way to help the village with its rat problem. As for Tenali, he was rewarded handsomely for his clever thinking and

Tenali Ramakrishna stories are like moral stories that teach us ways to deal with life challenges with humor, intelligence, strategy, dharma, and affection. Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagar, there lived a clever and intelligent man named Tenali Ramakrishna, better known as Tenali Rama. His sharp intellect and sense of humor made him a close confidant of King Krishnadevaraya, and he earned many rewards and honors from the king for his clever solutions to difficult problems. As a result, it was no secret that Tenali Rama had accumulated considerable wealth through the generous gifts he received from the king. This fact soon caught the attention of thieves who were always looking for easy targets. One evening, a group of these thieves gathered in a dark corner of the forest. They were plotting their next move when one of them said, “Why don’t we break into Tenali Rama’s house tonight? He is close to the king and must have plenty of gold, jewels, and valuable gifts stored in his home. It’s the perfect place for a big haul!” The others agreed eagerly. Under the cover of darkness, the thieves crept toward Tenali Rama’s house, hiding in the bushes just outside the backyard. From their hidden spot, they could see Tenali Rama and his wife inside the house, finishing their dinner. Later that night, Ramakrishna came out to the backyard, pretending to wash his hands, but in reality, he had sensed something was amiss. He had noticed a strange rustling sound earlier and suspected that thieves were lurking around. As he was a clever man, he quickly planned to trick the thieves. He called out loudly to his wife, who was inside the house, “My dear, I’ve been hearing rumors that the number of thieves in our kingdom has been increasing lately. We should take the necessary steps to safeguard our wealth. Take all the jewelry and valuables we have, put them in a box, and we’ll hide the box in the well at the back of the house. That way, the thieves won’t be able to steal anything even if they break into our home.” His wife, though puzzled by his sudden statement, sensed that her husband was up to something. She knew that there weren’t any valuable jewels or gold in the house, as most of the gifts Tenali received from the king were modest, and they lived a simple life. But Ramakrishna gave her a meaningful look, and she quickly understood that her husband had a plan to trick the thieves. From their hiding place, the thieves overheard the conversation between the couple. Their eyes lit up with excitement, thinking they had struck gold. They couldn’t believe their luck! All the treasure they had been hoping to steal was going to be stored in one place – the well. They decided to wait patiently until Ramakrishna and his wife went to bed before making their move. Meanwhile, Ramakrishna quickly gathered a box of stones, sand, and broken pottery. The box was heavy and appeared as if it were filled with valuable items. He locked the box tightly and called out to his wife, “Let’s go, my dear, help me carry this box to the well. We must keep it safe.” Together, the couple carried the box outside, and with much effort, they lowered it into the deep well in their backyard. As they did so, Ramakrishna spoke loudly for the benefit of the eavesdropping thieves, “Remember, my dear, no one must know about this! If the thieves find out, they’ll steal everything we have.” The thieves could hardly contain their excitement. They observed the weighty box disappear into the depths of the well. Once Ramakrishna and his wife went back inside, the thieves waited for some time, ensuring the household was quiet before they made their move. With each passing hour, the thieves’ figures grew larger against the backdrop of the moonlit well. However, as they approached, they realized that lifting the heavy box out of the deep well would not be an easy task. One of the thieves, who appeared to be the leader, said, “Friends, the well is too deep to simply lift the box out. We’ll need to remove the water first. When the water subsides, we can get the valuables. The others nodded in agreement, and they immediately set to work. Using buckets and whatever tools they could find, they began drawing water from the well. It was hard labor, but the thought of the treasure kept them motivated. Unknown to them, Tenali Ramakrishna, who had been watching the entire scene from the shadows, was silently laughing at their efforts. He knew the well was deep, and it would take a long time to drain all the water. Amused by their persistence, he decided to let them tire themselves out. As the thieves continued to work, they began to grow weary. Hours passed, and they were exhausted from lifting bucket after bucket of water from the well. Finally, one of the thieves said, “We’ve done enough for now. Let’s take a quick breather.” They sat down to rest, panting and sweating from the backbreaking effort. Meanwhile, Ramakrishna took advantage of the situation. While the thieves rested, he quietly slipped back into the backyard and began watering his plants with the water the thieves had drawn from the well. The thieves were so focused on their task that they didn’t notice him. After some time, the leader of the thieves urged his companions, “We need to hurry! Before dawn breaks, we must get the box out of the well.” They resumed their work, now more determined than ever to retrieve the treasure. But as they continued to pull out water, Tenali Ramakrishna, who had grown tired of their antics, decided to end the charade. He called out loudly from the shadows, “Oh, dear thieves! Please stop your work. You’ve already removed enough water to last us for days. Thank you for helping

Tenali Ramakrishna stories are like moral stories that teach us ways to deal with life challenges with humor, intelligence, strategy, dharma, and affection. In the kingdom of Vijayanagara, ruled by the wise and benevolent King Krishnadevaraya, lived a man renowned for his wit and intelligence: Tenali Rama. His quick thinking and sharp tongue often amused the king, earning him a place of honor in the royal court. However, not all in the kingdom shared the king’s admiration for Tenali Rama. Among those who held a grudge against the witty jester was Appalacharya, the kingdom’s chief priest. A staunch follower of the Vaishnava sect, Appalacharya harbored a deep-seated prejudice against the Smartha Brahmins, to which Tenali Rama belonged. He sought any opportunity to humiliate or discredit the jester, often using his position of authority to do so. Tenali Rama, aware of Appalacharya’s animosity, remained ever vigilant. He knew that the priest would stop at nothing to tarnish his reputation. One day, determined to provoke a reaction, Tenali Rama devised a cunning plan. One early morning, he visited Appalacharya’s home, only to find the priest hiding his face behind his shawl. Intrigued, Tenali Rama asked the reason for such unusual behavior. Appalacharya, caught off guard, replied that according to Vaishnava beliefs, if a Vaishnava were to see the face of a Smartha Brahmin at dawn then they would be cursed and reborn as a donkey. Tenali Rama, with ignorance, accepted this explanation. He then left the priest’s house mind racing with a mischievous idea. A few days later, while accompanying the king on a royal stroll, Tenali Rama saw a group of donkeys grazing. With a smile, he approached the animals and greeted them with utmost respect. The king, puzzled by his jester’s strange behavior, questioned him about his actions. Tenali Rama, ever the quick-witted one, replied, “Your Majesty, these donkeys are the relatives of Appalacharya. He revealed to me that all Vaishnavas, including him, were once reborn as donkeys due to the curse of seeing a Smartha Brahmin at dawn. As a mark of respect for my esteemed colleague’s ancestors, I have paid my respects to these noble creatures.” The king, amused by Tenali Rama’s clever retort, turned to Appalacharya for an explanation. The priest, caught in a web of his own prejudice, was unable to deny the truth of Tenali Rama’s claim. His face flushed with embarrassment as he realized the folly of his discriminatory beliefs. King Krishnadevaraya, ever the just ruler, intervened. He reprimanded Appalacharya for his narrow-mindedness and reminded him of the importance of tolerance and respect for all. The king praised Tenali Rama for his wit and wisdom for demonstrating that even in the face of adversity, one can use intelligence and humor to promote understanding and harmony. From that day onwards, Appalacharya learned a valuable lesson about the dangers of prejudice. He vowed to treat everyone with respect, regardless of their caste or creed. Tenali Rama, on the other hand, continued to serve his king with unwavering loyalty and a sharp wit that often brought joy and laughter to the kingdom. His story became a testament to the power of intelligence, humor, and the importance of overcoming prejudice. The moral of the story is that prejudice and discrimination are harmful and should never be tolerated. Tenali Rama’s cleverness and wit helped to expose Appalacharya’s prejudice and teach him a valuable lesson. It is important to treat everyone with respect, regardless of their background or beliefs.