At the
time when Krishnadevaraya ruled over Vijayanagar, king Barbar ruled over
Delihi. Tenali Raman was a famous jester in King Krishnadevaraya’s royal court.
When King Barbar heard Tenali’s tales of wit and intelligence, he wished to
meet him. So he sent a messenger to Vijayanagar to request Tenali Raman to visit
Delhi.
image source: google images
With
King Krishnadevaraya’s permission Tenali Raman went to Delhi with the
messenger. In Delhi, Tenali Raman was welcomed and accomadated in a royal guest
house. An appointment was fixed for Tenali Raman to meet the King Barbar.
Meanwhile
King Barabr told his courtiers, Tenali Raman, the great witty jester from
Vijayanagar has come to Delhi. Tomorrow in the royal court none of us must
smile or laugh at his jokes. I want to test him as to how he will make us laugh
and win a reward. The courtiers also agreed to King Birbal.
At the
given time Tenali Raman arrived in the Delhi Durbar. He told many witty tales
and jokes to courtiers and King Brbar, but all of them remained silent. No one
even smiled at the jokes. This went on everyday for 15 days. From the 16 th day
Tenali Raman stopped going to Delhi Durbar. He disguised himself and followed
the king Barbar everywhere to note his daily routine. Barbar used to go for
stroll by the river Yamuna with his Prime Minsiter every morning.
On the
way they would give gold coins to the poor and the needy beggars. After seeing
this, Tenali Raman made a plan. Next morning, Tenali dressed up as an old man.
He took a spade and a mango sapling and sttod by the river Yamuna waiting for
the King Barbar’s arrival. Seeing the king at a distance Tenali Raman started
planting the sapling. King Barbar came to him and said, “Old man, you are very
old, you won’t live long enough to enjoy the fruits of the tree you are
planting. Why are you taking so much trouble?”
Tenali
Raman replied, “Your Majesty, I enjoyed the fruits from the trees planted by my
ancestors. This tree’s fruits will be enjoyed by the others. I find joy in
giving to others. I am not planning this to myself.” The king was impressed by
the reply and gave a bag full of gold coins. The old man thanked him and said,
“Your Majesty you are indeed a great and kind king. People get the fruits when
the tree has grown but you have given me the fruit of my labors even before I
had planted the sapling.
The
thought of helping others has really benefited me. “I like this thought of
yours. You can now take this second bag of gold coins as a reward”, said King
Barbar. “Oh, your Majesty, This tree will bear fruits once in a year only but
before it has been planted you have filled my arms with fruits of joys twice
said the old man.” King Barbar said, I
like your thoughts and I am impressed by them,” he also gave the third bag too
to the old man.
Now the
prime minister got worried and said to the king, your majesty let’s leave now,
this man is too intelligent. His witty remarks will claim all the royal wealth
from you. King Barbar laughed and got ready to walk away. At this time the old
man said, your Majesty, can you give me just a look? When Barabar tuned to
look, he saw Tenali holding a false beard in his hands. King Barbar burst out
in laughing on seeing what Tenali had been up to.
The
king said, “I am pleased Tenali. You have truly proved that you are witty and a
great jester. King BArabr called Tenali to the court and gave him many more
royal rewards. When Tenali returned to Vijayanagar, King Krishnadevaraya was
proud to see how Tenali had saved grace. Tenali smiled and said, so your
Majesty Iam fit for a reward from you too. King Krishnadeva Raya agreed with a
smile and gave Tenali Raman 10,000 gold coins.
The
End.
