Tenali Ramakrishna and A Horse Trader Story

While King Krishnadevaraya was ruling the Vijayanagara dynasty, he had Tenali Ramakrishna as a special advisor. Krishnadevaraya loved horses and had a collection of a few best breeds of horses in his stable.

One day, an Arabian horse trader came to the court of Krishnadevaraya and told him that he had some excellent breeds of Arabian horses for sale. He invited the King to see the horse that he got with him. If the King likes it, he will send the other horses too.

Krishnadevaraya saw and loved the horse and told the horse trader that he would like all his horses and paid 5000 gold coins as an advance. The trader promised he would come back with the other horses in the next two days.

Two weeks passed by, but the trader still needed to return. The King got more anxious about the horses. One evening, he went to stroll in the garden to relax his mind. Krishnadevaraya saw Tenali Ramakrishna writing something on a piece of paper. The King approached him and asked what he was writing.

Tenali Ramakrishna did not answer. After the King questioned him again, Tenali looked up and told the King that he was writing the names of the biggest fools of the Vijayanagar dynasty.

Krishnadevaraya took the paper and saw his name written at the top. He was furious with Tenali and asked for an explanation. Tenali said that any man who gives 5k gold coins to a stranger is a fool.

The King asked Tenali what if the trader returned with the horses. Tenali said, “Then, that man would be a fool.” He would write the horse trader’s name instead of the King’s name.

Moral of Tenali Ramakrishna and A Horse Trader Story

Do not trust strangers blindly. The same applies when you do your business with anyone.