Tenali Raman and Two Thieves

Once upon a time, when King Krishnadevaraya went to look over the jail, two inmates who had broken in asked for mercy. They informed him that they were skilled burglars and could assist the king in apprehending additional thieves. Being a gracious ruler, the king requested a conditional release from his guards. He told the burglars that if they could break into the house of his advisor Tenali Raman and steal valuables there, he would release them and appoint them as his spies. 

The challenge was accepted by the thieves, who went to Tenali Raman’s house that night and hid behind some bushes. Tenali Raman heard some rustling in the bushes when he went for a walk after dinner. He knew right away that there were thieves in his garden.

He went inside after some time and loudly told his wife that they should be careful with their valuables because two thieves were on the loose. He instructed her to pack all of the jewelry and coins in gold and silver into a trunk. The thieves overheard Tenali’s wife’s conversation.

He carried the trunk to the well in the backyard of his house after some time and threw it there. This was all seen by the thieves. The burglars made their way to the well when Tenali entered his house and began extracting water from it. Throughout the night, they continued to draw water. They were shocked to discover stones in the trunk, which they managed to extract almost before dawn. 

Tenali Raman came out at this point to thank them for providing him with good sleep and watering his plants. Tenali Raman’s deception was obvious to the two thieves. Tenali Raman accepted their apologies and released them.

Moral of Tenali Raman and Two Thieves Story

Cleverness and wit can be used to outsmart even the most skilled criminals. Do not believe in false claims.