Tenali Ramakrishna, also known as Tenali Raman, was a poet, scholar, and jester in the court of the king of Vijayanagara in the 16th century. He was known for his wit, intelligence, and sense of humor, and his stories have been passed down through generations as folk tales. The stories of Tenali Ramakrishna are popular across India and have been translated into many languages, making him a beloved cultural figure. His tales often feature him outsmarting powerful people using his quick thinking and humor, and they provide valuable lessons in ethics, morality, and wisdom. In this article, we will explore 20 of the best stories of Tenali Ramakrishna, each showcasing his wit, humor, and wisdom.
The Elephant and the Sparrow: Tenali Outwits the King
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there lived a famous jester named Tenali Ramakrishna. He was known for his wit, intelligence, and sense of humor, and his stories have been passed down through generations as folk tales.
One day, while taking a walk in the forest, Tenali came across an elephant trapped in a pit. The poor creature had fallen in and was struggling to get out. Tenali felt sorry for the elephant and tried to help him, but he couldn’t find a way to get him out of the pit.
Just then, a sparrow flew down and asked the elephant what had happened. The elephant explained his predicament, and the sparrow came up with a clever plan to free him. She started dropping small sticks into the pit, one by one, and instructed the elephant to use them to build a staircase to climb out. After a while, the elephant was able to escape the pit and went on his way.
But the story doesn’t end there. Word of this incident soon reached the king’s ears, and he was curious about how the elephant had been rescued. So, he summoned both the sparrow and Tenali to his court and asked Tenali to explain how the sparrow had helped the elephant.
Tenali, always quick on his feet, replied that the sparrow must have been dropping the sticks in a specific order to create a ladder for the elephant to climb out of the pit. The king was impressed by Tenali’s intelligence and declared him the winner of the challenge.
However, there was a twist in the tale. The king’s wise minister, who was jealous of Tenali’s popularity, challenged Tenali to prove that his explanation was correct by recreating the sparrow’s ladder with the sticks.
Tenali accepted the challenge and asked the minister to bring a large pit and the same kind of sticks that the sparrow had used. With the minister and the court watching, Tenali carefully arranged the sticks in a specific order, just as he had said the sparrow had done.
When the sticks were in place, Tenali called for a group of monkeys to come and climb the ladder. Much to everyone’s surprise, the monkeys easily climbed out of the pit using the ladder that Tenali had created.
The king was pleased with Tenali’s intelligence and rewarded him with a bag of gold coins. And from that day on, the wise jester’s popularity grew even more, and he continued to entertain and educate the people of Vijayanagara with his wit and wisdom.
The moral of this story is that intelligence and cleverness can help us overcome seemingly impossible challenges. By using his wit and resourcefulness, Tenali Ramakrishna was able to outsmart both the king and his jealous minister, and help the trapped elephant in the process. The story teaches us that quick thinking and problem-solving skills can help us overcome obstacles and achieve our goals. Additionally, the story also emphasizes the importance of compassion and kindness towards animals, as Tenali showed by trying to help the trapped elephant.
Tasty Revenge on the Greedy Merchants
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there lived a famous jester named Tenali Ramakrishna. He was known for his wit, intelligence, and sense of humor, and his stories have been passed down through generations as folk tales.
One day, two greedy merchants came to the court of King Krishnadevaraya with a sack of grain. They claimed that it was the finest rice in the kingdom and demanded a high price for it. The king, not wanting to be cheated, ordered Tenali to test the rice and determine whether it was indeed of good quality.
Tenali took a handful of rice and ate it, but he made a face as if it was very bitter. The merchants were delighted, thinking that Tenali had declared the rice to be bad and that they could sell it for a lower price. However, Tenali had a plan.
He told the king that the rice was not bitter but was, in fact, the sweetest rice he had ever tasted. The king was confused and asked Tenali how he could say that when he had made such a face while eating it. Tenali replied that he had a toothache and was making a face of pain, not disgust.
The merchants were overjoyed, thinking they had succeeded in their scheme. However, Tenali had tricked them. He offered to buy the rice from them at a very high price, claiming that he loved the sweet taste and wanted to eat it every day. The greedy merchants sold the rice to Tenali and left the court, thinking they had made a fortune.
However, the next day, when the merchants came to Tenali’s house to collect their money, they were in for a big surprise. Tenali had cooked the rice with a lot of salt and spices, making it very unappetizing. The greedy merchants were forced to eat the rice themselves and were left regretting their greed.
The moral of the story is that greed can lead to one’s downfall. The merchants tried to cheat the king and sell inferior rice for a high price, but they were ultimately outsmarted by Tenali. Their greed blinded them to the possibility of being tricked themselves. The story teaches us the importance of honesty and integrity, as well as the dangers of being overly focused on personal gain.
The Horse and the Mangoes: How Tenali Exposed a Thief
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there lived a man named Ramalinga who was more commonly known as Tenali Ramakrishna. He was known for his sharp wit, intelligence, and ability to solve complex problems with ease.
One day, a merchant came to the court of King Krishnadevaraya with a complaint. He claimed that a thief had stolen his bag of mangoes, which he had left unattended while he went to the market. The king was sympathetic to the merchant’s plight and asked Tenali to find the thief and bring him to justice.
Tenali, ever the clever one, began his investigation by questioning everyone who was present in the market that day. He soon heard a rumor that a horse had been seen eating mangoes from a bag that looked very similar to the one that the merchant had lost. Tenali followed the horse’s tracks and came to a house where a wealthy merchant lived.
Tenali noticed that the horse in the stable looked like the one that had eaten the mangoes. He then came up with a clever plan to catch the thief. He went to the merchant and offered to buy his horse, saying that he was looking for a fast and strong horse for his own stable.
The merchant agreed to sell the horse, but as he was bringing the horse out of the stable, Tenali noticed that it had a string tied around its tail. When he pulled on the string, the stolen mangoes fell out of the horse’s stomach.
Tenali immediately realized that the horse had been used to steal the mangoes, and the string was used to prevent the horse from defecating the evidence. The wealthy merchant was exposed as the thief and was punished by the king for his crime.
The moral of the story is that honesty is the best policy. The wealthy merchant was driven by his greed and stole the mangoes, but he was ultimately caught and punished. The story teaches us the importance of integrity and doing what is right, even when it may not be the easiest or most profitable choice. Additionally, the story highlights the power of observation and creative problem-solving, as Tenali was able to use his intelligence and wit to catch the thief and solve the case.
Tenali’s Secret Code: Fooling the Emperor’s Ministers
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there lived a man named Tenali Ramakrishna. He was known for his intelligence, quick wit, and ability to solve complex problems.
One day, the Emperor of Vijayanagara summoned Tenali to his court and asked him to come up with a secret code that only the Emperor and his most trusted ministers would be able to understand. The Emperor wanted to ensure that all important messages sent within the kingdom were kept confidential.
Tenali agreed to the task, but he had a mischievous plan in mind. Instead of coming up with a complex code that only a select few could understand, he created a simple code that anyone could decipher.
Tenali then presented the code to the Emperor and his ministers, claiming that it was a highly complex and sophisticated code. The ministers were impressed and thanked Tenali for his hard work.
However, Tenali knew that his code was not actually secure and was just a trick. He waited for the right moment to expose the ministers’ gullibility.
A few days later, the Emperor sent a message to his ministers using Tenali’s code. To his surprise, the message was decoded by a commoner, who brought it to the Emperor’s attention.
The Emperor was furious and demanded an explanation from his ministers. They had no choice but to confess that they had been fooled by Tenali’s code. The Emperor was impressed by Tenali’s intelligence and wit, and praised him for his cleverness.
The moral of the story is that intelligence and creativity can be used for both good and bad purposes. Tenali used his intelligence to trick the Emperor’s ministers, but he did so to expose their gullibility and teach them a lesson. The story teaches us the importance of using our intelligence and creativity in a responsible and ethical manner. It also highlights the importance of honesty, as Tenali eventually revealed the truth behind his secret code.
The Clever Jester: How Tenali Saved a Kingdom
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there was a clever jester named Tenali Ramakrishna. He was known for his sharp wit and quick thinking, and was a favorite of King Krishnadevaraya.
One day, the kingdom was threatened by a group of thieves who were stealing treasures and valuables from the King’s palace. The King tried everything he could to catch the thieves, but they were too clever and always managed to escape.
Tenali decided to take matters into his own hands and came up with a plan to catch the thieves. He disguised himself as a wealthy merchant and walked through the marketplace, loudly proclaiming that he had a valuable necklace for sale. The thieves took notice of this and decided to steal the necklace.
When the thieves tried to steal the necklace from Tenali, he cleverly outwitted them by hiding the necklace in his turban. He then followed the thieves back to their hideout and reported their location to the King.
The King was overjoyed with Tenali’s success and rewarded him with many riches and honors. He also made sure that security measures were tightened to prevent any more thefts from happening.
The moral of the story is that intelligence and wit can be used to overcome even the most difficult challenges. Tenali’s clever thinking helped him catch the thieves and save the kingdom, and the story highlights the importance of using one’s intelligence to solve problems. It also emphasizes the value of loyalty to one’s kingdom and the willingness to do whatever it takes to protect it.
The Golden Mangoes: How Tenali Outwitted a Rich Merchant
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there was a wealthy merchant named Ramanujam who was known for his greediness. One day, he heard about the famous golden mangoes that grew in the garden of the King’s palace. These mangoes were said to be so delicious that they could cure any ailment, and Ramanujam became obsessed with the idea of tasting them.
Despite the King’s orders that the mangoes were not to be sold or given away, Ramanujam devised a plan to get his hands on them. He offered the gardener a large sum of money to give him a basket of the golden mangoes, and the gardener, tempted by the offer, agreed.
When the King found out about the stolen mangoes, he was furious and ordered his soldiers to find the thief. Meanwhile, Ramanujam invited Tenali Ramakrishna, the jester, to his house to enjoy the stolen mangoes. Tenali, however, was aware of the situation and decided to teach Ramanujam a lesson.
During the meal, Tenali kept praising the delicious taste of the mangoes and asked Ramanujam where he had gotten them. Ramanujam, thinking that Tenali was praising him for his cleverness, boasted about his plan to steal the mangoes. But Tenali pretended to be horrified and reminded Ramanujam that stealing was a serious crime punishable by death.
Ramanujam was shocked and afraid, but Tenali promised to help him avoid punishment if he followed his instructions. He advised Ramanujam to put the remaining mangoes in a basket and leave them outside the palace gate, along with a note confessing to the theft and asking for forgiveness.
The soldiers found the basket and the note the next morning and brought them to the King. The King was pleased with Ramanujam’s honesty and forgave him, but he also ordered him to pay a hefty fine and banned him from the palace forever.
The moral of the story is that honesty is always the best policy, and greediness can lead to one’s downfall. Ramanujam’s greediness led him to steal the golden mangoes, which not only got him into trouble with the King but also made him lose his reputation and dignity. On the other hand, Tenali’s honesty and cleverness helped him expose Ramanujam’s wrongdoing and teach him a valuable lesson.
The Greedy Brahmin: Tenali’s Lesson in Generosity
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there lived a Brahmin named Ramakrishna who was known for his greediness. He always thought about himself and never cared for anyone else’s needs. One day, he received a bag of gold coins from the King as a gift, and he couldn’t believe his luck. He decided to use the money to buy a lavish feast for himself, but he didn’t want to share it with anyone else.
As he was on his way to the market to buy the ingredients for the feast, he saw a group of hungry beggars sitting by the roadside. They asked him for some food, but he refused and told them to go away. But as he walked away, he heard a voice that said, “Give to others, and you shall receive in return.”
Ramakrishna didn’t pay attention to the voice and continued on his way. However, when he reached the market, he discovered that his bag of gold coins was missing. He searched everywhere, but he couldn’t find it. Devastated and penniless, he decided to ask for help from Tenali Ramakrishna, the wise jester.
Tenali listened to Ramakrishna’s story and asked him if he had shared his wealth with anyone else. Ramakrishna admitted that he had not and regretted his selfishness. Tenali then advised him to help the beggars he had seen earlier and promised that he would find his lost gold.
Ramakrishna followed Tenali’s advice and bought food for the beggars. He shared his feast with them and felt a sense of happiness that he had never experienced before. Just as he finished eating, a man approached him and handed him his missing bag of gold coins. The man had found the bag and was impressed by Ramakrishna’s kindness towards the beggars, so he decided to return it to him.
Ramakrishna was overjoyed and thanked Tenali for his advice. He realized that his selfishness had caused him to lose his wealth, but his generosity had helped him regain it. From that day on, Ramakrishna became a changed man and started living a life of generosity and kindness towards others.
The moral of the story is that generosity and kindness are always rewarded, while greediness and selfishness can lead to one’s downfall. Ramakrishna’s greediness caused him to lose his wealth, but his generosity and kindness towards others helped him regain it. The story teaches us to always be kind and generous towards others, as it can bring us happiness and blessings in return..
Tenali’s Trickery in the Court of the Emperor
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there was an emperor who held court every day. He had a group of ministers who advised him on various matters. One day, the emperor asked his ministers to come up with a way to ensure that no one would steal from his treasury.
The ministers were perplexed and couldn’t come up with a solution. Tenali Ramakrishna, who was known for his wit and intelligence, heard about this problem and decided to help. He disguised himself as a holy man and presented himself in the court. The emperor asked him for his opinion on the matter, to which Tenali replied that he had a foolproof plan.
He said that he would tie a rope around his waist and jump into the treasury. If he came out alive, then it would be safe for everyone else to enter. The emperor and his ministers were skeptical but intrigued by Tenali’s plan. They allowed him to try it.
Tenali tied a rope around his waist, held onto it tightly, and jumped into the treasury. Inside, he found a pile of gold and precious jewels. He picked up a handful of gold and jumped out of the treasury. The emperor and his ministers were amazed that Tenali had successfully completed the task.
But when Tenali opened his hand, they were shocked to see that he had only a few grains of sand. Tenali explained that he had used his intelligence to replace the gold with sand. He had found a way to outsmart the guards and replace the gold without them noticing.
The emperor was impressed by Tenali’s wit and intelligence and appointed him as his chief advisor. From that day on, Tenali became a trusted advisor to the emperor and continued to use his cunning to solve various problems in the kingdom.
The moral of the story is that intelligence and wit can be more powerful than brute force. It is not always necessary to use physical strength to achieve one’s goals. One can use their intelligence and cleverness to find a way out of difficult situations.
The Cunning Peasant: How Tenali Taught a Lesson to a Stingy Landlord
Once upon a time, in the village of Tenali, there was a stingy landlord who was notorious for his greed. He owned a vast stretch of land and exploited the poor peasants who worked on it. One day, a peasant named Ramalinga approached the landlord, asking for a piece of land to cultivate.
The landlord was hesitant to give away any of his land, but Ramalinga was persistent. Finally, the landlord agreed to give him a small piece of land, but only on the condition that he gave him half of the harvest.
Ramalinga was unhappy with this deal, but he had no choice but to agree. However, he came up with a clever plan to teach the landlord a lesson. He decided to plant a crop of cucumbers, which had a very low market value. When the crop was ready, he invited the landlord to come and inspect it.
When the landlord arrived, he was disappointed to see the cucumbers. He demanded that Ramalinga give him his half of the harvest, but Ramalinga had already planned for this. He told the landlord that since cucumbers had such low market value, he could only give him half of the cucumbers in terms of weight, not in terms of quantity.
The landlord, thinking he had outsmarted Ramalinga, agreed to this deal. However, Ramalinga had one more trick up his sleeve. He had filled the cucumbers with water before weighing them, making them much heavier than their actual weight. As a result, the landlord ended up with only a small fraction of the actual harvest.
The landlord was furious when he realized he had been tricked. But Ramalinga reminded him of the unfair conditions he had imposed on the poor peasants and taught him a lesson about the importance of being fair and just.
The landlord, ashamed of his greed, apologized to Ramalinga and the other peasants and promised to be fair in the future. From that day on, he treated his workers with respect and paid them fairly for their labor.
The moral of the story is that greed can lead to one’s downfall. It is important to treat others fairly and with respect. Being generous and fair can lead to a harmonious and peaceful society.
The Mongoose and the Baby: Tenali’s Tale of Friendship and Loyalty
Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a wise man named Tenali Ramakrishna. He was known for his wit, intelligence, and cleverness. One day, he came across a mongoose who had lost its way and was looking for food and shelter. Feeling sorry for the animal, Tenali took it in and fed it.
Over time, Tenali and the mongoose became good friends. The animal would follow him wherever he went and even protected him from harm. One day, Tenali and his wife had to leave for a wedding, leaving their young son at home. They warned the mongoose to stay away from the baby and left.
However, when they returned, they found the mongoose with blood all over its mouth. Fearing the worst, they rushed inside to check on their son, only to find him safe and sound, with a dead cobra lying nearby. The mongoose had killed the cobra to protect the baby from harm.
Tenali and his wife were amazed at the mongoose’s loyalty and bravery. They realized that the animal had become a true friend, and they were grateful for its protection. From that day forward, the mongoose became a beloved member of their family.
The moral of this story is that true friendship and loyalty can come from the most unexpected places. It’s important to treat all living creatures with kindness and respect, as they may prove to be our greatest allies in times of need. We should always be grateful for the love and protection that our friends provide, no matter their size or appearance.
The Brave Beggar: How Tenali Helped a Poor Man Stand Up to a Bully
Once upon a time, in a small village, there lived a poor beggar who was known for his kindness and honesty. One day, while he was begging for alms, a rich and powerful man came by and began to insult and bully him for no reason. The beggar tried to walk away, but the man continued to taunt him, thinking that his wealth and status gave him the right to treat others poorly.
Feeling helpless and humiliated, the beggar turned to the wise and clever Tenali Ramakrishna for help. Tenali was known for his wit and intelligence, and he immediately recognized that the rich man was a bully who needed to be taught a lesson.
So, Tenali came up with a plan to teach the bully a lesson. He instructed the beggar to go to the rich man’s house and ask for his help, pretending that he had lost all of his possessions and was in need of assistance. The beggar did as he was told, and the rich man welcomed him into his home, thinking that he had an opportunity to take advantage of the poor man.
However, as soon as the beggar was inside, Tenali appeared and revealed the truth behind the beggar’s story. The rich man was embarrassed and ashamed of his behavior, realizing that he had been a bully and a hypocrite. He apologized to the beggar and vowed to treat him and all others with respect and kindness from that day forward.
The beggar was overjoyed at the outcome and grateful to Tenali for his help. He learned that he didn’t have to tolerate bullies and that standing up for oneself and seeking help from others was a sign of strength, not weakness.
The moral of this story is that bullies can be taught a lesson, and there’s no shame in asking for help when you need it. We should never let others treat us poorly or think that they are superior to us because of their wealth or status. Instead, we should stand up for ourselves and seek the support of others, who can help us overcome any challenge or adversity we may face.
The Wise Minister: Tenali’s Advice to the King
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there lived a wise and clever court jester named Tenali Rama. He was a trusted advisor to the great king Krishnadevaraya, who sought his counsel on many important matters.
One day, the king received a request from a neighboring kingdom to marry their princess to his son. The king was pleased with the proposal but was hesitant to accept it without thoroughly investigating the background of the princess and her family. So, he turned to Tenali for advice.
Tenali listened to the king’s concerns and did some research on the neighboring kingdom. He discovered that the neighboring king had a reputation for being a ruthless and treacherous ruler, and he suspected that the proposed marriage was just a ploy to gain access to the wealth and resources of Vijayanagara.
Tenali shared his findings with the king and advised him not to accept the proposal. However, the king was still tempted by the prospect of a royal alliance and ignored Tenali’s advice.
A few months later, the neighboring kingdom declared war on Vijayanagara, and their army marched towards the capital. The king was taken aback by the sudden attack and turned to Tenali for help.
Tenali reminded the king of his earlier advice and suggested that they seek the help of a powerful neighboring kingdom that had a long-standing alliance with Vijayanagara. The king followed Tenali’s advice, and the alliance helped them defeat the invading army.
The king was grateful to Tenali for his wise counsel, and he realized the importance of listening to his advisors, even if he didn’t agree with them at first.
This story teaches us the importance of seeking advice and listening to the opinions of others, especially when making important decisions. It also highlights the dangers of ignoring wise counsel and the consequences that can arise from making hasty or selfish decisions.
The Foolish Brahmin and the Pot of Wisdom: Tenali’s Parable
Once upon a time, in the bustling city of Vijayanagara, there lived a foolish Brahmin named Gopala. He was not very bright and always made silly mistakes. Despite his flaws, he had a pure heart and always tried to do what was right.
One day, Gopala came across a beautiful pot while walking through the market. It was shiny and adorned with intricate designs. He was immediately drawn to it and decided to buy it with his savings.
As he walked back home, he saw a group of mischievous boys playing near a well. They were shouting and laughing while tossing stones into the well. Gopala was alarmed and asked them to stop, but they ignored him and continued their game.
In a fit of anger, Gopala threw the pot into the well, hoping to teach the boys a lesson. As he walked away, he realized his mistake and regretted losing the beautiful pot.
The next day, Tenali Rama saw Gopala looking sad and asked him what was wrong. Gopala shared his story and lamented over his foolishness.
Tenali listened to Gopala’s story and decided to teach him a lesson. He said, “Gopala, the pot you threw into the well was not just any ordinary pot. It was a pot of wisdom that could grant you knowledge and insight. Now that it’s in the well, you will never be able to retrieve it.”
Gopala was shocked and upset at himself for his foolish act. He realized that he had thrown away something of great value and importance.
Tenali used this parable to teach Gopala and others the importance of recognizing the value of what they have and not taking things for granted. He also emphasized the dangers of acting impulsively and not thinking through the consequences of their actions.
This story teaches us to be mindful of our actions and the value of the things we have. It also reminds us to think before we act and to always consider the consequences of our decisions.
The Cheating Game: Tenali’s Lesson in Honesty
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, a group of wealthy merchants approached the King with a complaint. They claimed that a local moneylender had cheated them out of their money using a clever trick.
The moneylender had challenged the merchants to a game of dice, promising to return their money if they lost. However, he had rigged the game by using loaded dice, which ensured that he would win every time.
The King was outraged by this dishonest act and called upon his wise Minister, Tenali Rama, to investigate the matter and bring the moneylender to justice.
Tenali Rama agreed to help and visited the moneylender’s home. He found the loaded dice hidden inside a pot of lentils and confronted the moneylender about his cheating.
The moneylender was quick to deny the accusations, claiming that the loaded dice were not his and that they must have been planted by someone else. But Tenali Rama was not convinced and decided to teach the moneylender a lesson in honesty.
He challenged the moneylender to a game of dice, using the same loaded dice that he had found. He promised to return the moneylender’s money if he won.
The moneylender was confident that he would win again and agreed to the challenge. But to his surprise, Tenali Rama managed to beat him using his own loaded dice.
The moneylender was shocked and ashamed of his dishonesty. He apologized to Tenali Rama and the merchants for his actions and promised to never cheat anyone again.
Tenali Rama used this opportunity to teach the moneylender and others the importance of honesty and integrity. He reminded them that cheating may bring temporary gains, but it ultimately leads to shame and dishonor.
This story teaches us the value of honesty and the dangers of cheating. It reminds us that honesty is the foundation of trust and that cheating, even in small matters, can have serious consequences. It also emphasizes the importance of integrity and doing what is right, even when it is difficult or tempting to do otherwise.
The Cat’s Judgment: How Tenali Solved a Dispute
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, two men came to the court of King Krishnadevaraya with a dispute. They both claimed ownership of a beautiful cat and demanded that the King decide who should keep it.
The King was puzzled and did not know how to solve this dispute. He called upon his wise Minister, Tenali Rama, to find a solution.
Tenali Rama listened to both men’s arguments and decided to use his wit and wisdom to solve the problem. He asked the two men to bring the cat to him the next day.
The next day, Tenali Rama took the cat and kept it in a separate room. He then called each of the men into the room one by one and asked them to describe the cat.
The first man described the cat as being black with white spots, while the second man described it as being white with black spots.
Tenali Rama smiled and realized that he had found a solution to the problem. He went to the King and explained that he had cut the cat in half and given each man one half of the cat.
The King was shocked and horrified, but Tenali Rama quickly explained that he had not actually cut the cat in half. He had simply tricked the men into revealing the truth.
The cat, it turned out, was indeed black with white spots on one side and white with black spots on the other. Each man had been telling the truth about the side of the cat that he had seen.
The two men were ashamed of their behavior and grateful to Tenali Rama for his wisdom. They realized that their dispute had been foolish and had caused unnecessary tension and conflict.
This story teaches us the importance of truth and the dangers of jumping to conclusions. It reminds us that there is always more than one side to a story and that we should be patient and open-minded when dealing with disputes. It also emphasizes the value of wisdom and the power of clever solutions that can bring peace and harmony to our lives.
The Two Thieves: Tenali’s Tale of Justice and Mercy
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there were two thieves named Ramu and Somu. They were known throughout the kingdom for their misdeeds and crimes.
One day, the King of Vijayanagara, Krishnadevaraya, ordered his soldiers to capture the two thieves and bring them to the court. The King was known for his sense of justice and fairness and he wanted to make an example out of these two notorious criminals.
When Ramu and Somu were brought before the King, he asked them to confess their crimes. Ramu was quick to confess and begged for mercy, but Somu refused to admit his guilt and tried to shift the blame onto Ramu.
The King was angry and decided to punish both of them. He ordered that Ramu be hanged and Somu be set free.
Tenali Rama, the wise Minister, was in the court that day and he spoke up to the King. He asked the King if he was sure that Somu was innocent and if there was any evidence to prove his guilt.
The King realized that he had acted too quickly and had made a mistake. He ordered his soldiers to investigate further and find evidence to prove whether Somu was guilty or not.
The soldiers went back to the place where Ramu and Somu were caught and searched the area. They found a hidden stash of stolen goods, which proved that Somu was indeed guilty.
The King was embarrassed by his mistake and grateful to Tenali Rama for his wisdom and insight. He commuted Ramu’s sentence and ordered that both thieves be punished equally.
This story teaches us the importance of justice and fairness, and the dangers of making assumptions and rushing to judgment. It reminds us that there is always more than meets the eye and that we should be careful and thorough in our investigations before making decisions. It also emphasizes the value of wisdom and the power of second chances and mercy, even for those who have made mistakes.
The Royal Parrot: How Tenali Saved the King’s Life
In the kingdom of Vijayanagara, King Krishnadevaraya had a beautiful and intelligent pet parrot named Rajaavasa. The King loved his parrot and often talked to him, sharing his secrets and troubles.
One day, the King noticed that his parrot had become weak and dull. He became very worried and summoned his trusted Minister, Tenali Rama, to examine the bird and find out what was wrong.
Tenali Rama carefully examined the parrot and concluded that it was suffering from a severe illness. He recommended that the parrot be given a special herb from a distant land that could cure the illness. The King immediately sent his soldiers to fetch the herb and the parrot was given the medicine.
The parrot soon recovered and was back to its lively and cheerful self. But one day, when the King was out on a hunting trip, the parrot suddenly fell to the ground and lay still. The attendants who were with the King thought the parrot had died and they quickly disposed of the body.
But Tenali Rama, who was not with the King on the hunting trip, was suspicious. He asked the attendants what had happened and when he learned about the parrot’s sudden death, he suspected foul play.
He immediately ordered his men to search the area where the parrot was found and they discovered a small pile of ashes. Upon further investigation, they found that the ashes were from a poisonous plant that had been deliberately planted by the King’s enemies to kill the parrot.
Tenali Rama knew that the King’s life was in danger, as the same enemies who had killed the parrot might also try to harm the King. He advised the King to be extra cautious and take steps to protect himself.
The King was grateful for Tenali Rama’s wise counsel and took the necessary precautions. In the end, the King’s enemies were exposed and defeated, and the King’s life was saved.
This story teaches us the importance of having wise and loyal advisors like Tenali Rama, who can help us navigate difficult situations and protect us from harm. It also reminds us that our enemies can come in unexpected forms, and that we must always be alert and vigilant. Finally, it underscores the value of showing kindness and compassion to all living beings, even pets and animals, as they too can teach us valuable lessons and bring joy and companionship to our lives.
The Intelligent Farmer: Tenali’s Wisdom in Agriculture
Once upon a time, in a small village in India, there lived a farmer named Ramu. Ramu was known for his intelligence and his ability to solve problems that others found difficult. One day, Ramu’s village faced a serious problem – there was no rain for several months, and the crops were dying. The other farmers in the village were worried and didn’t know what to do.
Ramu, however, had a plan. He went to the nearby river and dug a small canal to divert some water to his fields. The other farmers mocked him, saying that it was a useless effort and that the canal would dry up soon. But Ramu continued to dig and managed to get some water to his crops. As a result, his crops flourished while the others withered.
The other farmers were amazed by Ramu’s success and asked him how he managed to do it. Ramu replied that he had simply used his intelligence to find a solution to the problem. He explained that he had studied the land and found a way to get water to his crops by diverting it from the river.
The other farmers realized that Ramu was right, and they all started to dig their own canals to get water to their crops. As a result, the entire village’s crops were saved, and they all had a bountiful harvest that year.
The moral of the story is that intelligence and hard work can help overcome even the toughest of challenges. It’s important to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions to problems. We should not be discouraged by others’ opinions and should always be willing to take risks to achieve success.
The Tale of the Mango Tree: Tenali’s Fable of Gratitude
Once upon a time, in a small village in India, there was a kind and generous farmer named Raman. Raman had a mango tree in his backyard, which was his pride and joy. He would take care of the tree every day, watering it and ensuring it got enough sunlight. In return, the tree would bear the juiciest and sweetest mangoes every season.
One day, a passerby stopped by Raman’s house and asked for some mangoes. Raman was happy to oblige and gave the man a few ripe mangoes. The next day, the same man returned and asked for more mangoes. This continued for a few days, and soon, the man was coming every day, asking for mangoes.
Raman didn’t mind sharing his mangoes, but he couldn’t help but feel annoyed by the man’s constant requests. One day, he decided to teach the man a lesson. He gave him a basket full of mangoes but had hidden a snake in it. When the man reached home and opened the basket, the snake bit him, and he fell unconscious.
Raman was happy that he had taught the man a lesson, but he soon realized that what he had done was wrong. He had hurt someone who was simply asking for help. Raman felt guilty and decided to take care of the man until he recovered. He tended to the man’s wounds, fed him, and made sure he was comfortable.
When the man finally recovered, he apologized for his behavior and thanked Raman for taking care of him. Raman realized that he had been too quick to judge the man and that he had let his anger get the better of him. From that day on, he made a vow to always help those in need and to never judge anyone based on their actions.
The mango tree in Raman’s backyard continued to bear fruit, but Raman no longer saw it as just a source of mangoes. He saw it as a symbol of gratitude and a reminder to always be kind and generous to others.
The moral of the story is that we should always be kind and generous to others, even if we feel annoyed or frustrated by their behavior. We should never judge someone based on their actions and should always try to understand their situation. By doing so, we can create a better and more compassionate world.
The Stolen Necklace: How Tenali Tricked a Thief and Restored Justice
Once upon a time, in the kingdom of Vijayanagara, there lived a wealthy merchant who owned a valuable necklace made of precious gems. One day, a thief broke into the merchant’s house and stole the necklace, leaving no trace behind. The merchant was devastated and immediately reported the theft to the king, seeking justice.
The king called upon his wise minister, Tenali Rama, to solve the case. Tenali Rama took the task and started investigating the case. He questioned the merchant and his neighbors but could not find any leads. However, he noticed a man who was loitering around the merchant’s house during the time of the theft.
Tenali Rama devised a plan. He gathered all the suspects in the courtyard and announced that he had a way to find the culprit. He took a pot of water and added a small amount of poison to it. He then dipped a small piece of bread in the water and fed it to a pigeon. Soon, the pigeon fell dead, and all the suspects were horrified.
Tenali Rama then announced that he had fed the same bread to the thief and whoever stole the necklace would face the same fate as the pigeon. Upon hearing this, the thief, who was amongst the suspects, confessed to his crime and returned the stolen necklace.
The king was impressed with Tenali Rama’s wit and wisdom and rewarded him for solving the case and restoring justice.
The moral of the story is that honesty is always the best policy. The thief would not have been punished if he had confessed his crime earlier.
Thank you for taking the time to read these stories. If you enjoyed it, please consider sharing it on social media or leaving a comment below. Your engagement helps me to create more content that you’ll love!
Read Also:
Best 20 Akbar and Birbal Stories with Morals for kids in English
1 thought on “Best 20 Tenali Ramakrishna Stories with Morals for kids in English”