Story Summary
Read the clever tale of Tenali Raman and the Brinjal. Discover how the witty jester used a fake dream to save himself from the King's wrath for stealing seeds.
King Krishna Deva Raya possessed a private garden containing a special variety of brinjal that was extraordinarily delicious. He guarded it strictly, forbidding anyone from tasting it. However, Tenali Raman's wife heard of its fame and insisted on trying one. Unable to refuse her, Tenali Raman climbed the garden wall at night and stole a few brinjals. His wife cooked a delicious curry, and even their young son was fed the rare vegetable. Realizing the King might investigate, Tenali Raman woke his son in the middle of the night, poured water over him, and told him it was raining heavily. The next day, the King discovered the theft and summoned Tenali Raman, suspecting him. When the King questioned the son, the boy admitted to eating a delicious brinjal curry. However, when the King asked when this happened, the boy replied, 'On the night it rained so heavily that I was drenched.' Since there had been no rain for weeks, the King concluded the boy was merely dreaming. Tenali Raman’s quick thinking saved his family from execution.
The Moral
With presence of mind and cleverness, one can navigate out of the most dangerous situations.
“The truth is often hidden behind the veil of a clever lie.”
Fun Fact
The 'special' brinjal in the story is often thought to be the 'Udupi Gulla' variety, which is famous in South India for its unique green color and taste.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Tenali Raman and the Brinjal?
The moral is that presence of mind and wit can help a person escape difficult or life-threatening circumstances. It highlights how intelligence can be used to outsmart even the most powerful authority.
Why did Tenali Raman steal the brinjal?
Tenali Raman stole the special brinjal because his wife was curious about its legendary taste. Despite knowing it was from the King's private garden, he chose to satisfy his wife's wish.
How did Tenali Raman trick King Krishna Deva Raya?
He poured water on his sleeping son to make the boy believe it was raining. When the boy later mentioned eating the brinjal on a rainy night, the King assumed the child was just dreaming because there had been no rain.
Was Tenali Raman a real person?
Yes, Tenali Ramakrishna was a real historical figure. He was a Telugu poet and a scholar who served in the court of the Vijayanagara Emperor Krishna Deva Raya in the 16th century.
What kind of vegetable is a brinjal?
A brinjal is the common name for an eggplant in India and other parts of South Asia. In this story, it is portrayed as a rare and delicious royal delicacy.
Why didn't the King believe Tenali Raman's son?
The King didn't believe the boy because the boy claimed it was raining heavily when he ate the brinjal. Since the kingdom was experiencing a dry spell, the King thought the boy’s entire story was a dream.