Tenali Raman, known for his sharp intellect and clever wit, was a favorite court jester in the royal court of King Krishnadevaraya. His humorous anecdotes and witty solutions to problems often entertained and amused the king and his courtiers.
The Story:
Once, a horse trainer from a neighboring kingdom arrived in King Krishnadevaraya’s court. He boasted about his exceptional skills in training horses and claimed that he could teach any horse to talk within a month. Intrigued by the claim, King Krishnadevaraya decided to put his skills to the test.
The horse trainer was provided with a horse from the royal stable. He was given a month to train the horse to talk, failing which he would face a severe punishment. The horse trainer agreed confidently, and preparations were made to witness this extraordinary feat.
Tenali Raman’s Clever Idea:
As the days went by, it became apparent that the horse trainer was unable to fulfill his boastful promise. The king and his court were growing impatient, and the horse trainer’s reputation was at stake.
Tenali Raman, known for his quick thinking, saw an opportunity to expose the horse trainer’s bluff. He approached the horse trainer and whispered, “I can see that you are struggling with the horse. But don’t worry, I have a solution.”
Intrigued, the horse trainer asked, “What solution do you have?”
Tenali Raman replied, “Since you claim that you can train any horse to talk, why don’t you start with teaching this horse to whisper? That way, it will at least be a step towards achieving your goal.”
The horse trainer, not wanting to admit defeat, decided to take Tenali Raman’s suggestion. He spent the remaining days “training” the horse to whisper.
The Outcome:
When the appointed time arrived, the horse trainer confidently led the horse in front of the king and his court. The king was curious to witness the outcome of the month-long effort.
To everyone’s surprise, the horse began to make soft, inaudible sounds, giving the impression that it was whispering. The courtiers were amazed, and the king seemed satisfied.
However, Tenali Raman couldn’t help but burst into laughter. When asked about his amusement, he explained, “Your Majesty, the horse may indeed be whispering, but it seems it has chosen to communicate in a language only the wind can understand!”
The court erupted in laughter, including the king. The horse trainer’s bluff was exposed, and he had no choice but to admit his failure.
Conclusion:
Through his clever thinking and humorous approach, Tenali Raman once again managed to turn a challenging situation into a lighthearted and entertaining episode in the court of King Krishnadevaraya. His wit and intelligence never failed to bring a smile to the faces of those around him.
