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.