Tenali Rama’s Gift of Elephant

Tenali Rama, the witty court jester of King Krishnadevaraya, was known for his cleverness. One day, the court was discussing the weight of the royal elephant. Everyone guessed its weight, but Tenali Rama remained silent.

The king, intrigued by Tenali’s silence, asked, “Why are you quiet, Tenali? What’s your guess?”

Tenali smiled mischievously and said, “Your Majesty, I don’t need to guess. I can tell you the exact weight.”

The king was surprised and said, “Really? How?”

Tenali Rama replied, “Simple, Your Majesty. Send the elephant to my house tonight, and I will weigh it with my own scales.”

Everyone burst into laughter, including the king. The sheer audacity and humor in Tenali’s suggestion amused them all. The king, delighted by Tenali’s wit, rewarded him generously.

That night, the royal elephant was taken to Tenali Rama’s house. He had prepared a clever plan. He covered the elephant with a blanket and attached a small note to its ear. The note read, “I know the weight of the elephant. Please put the correct weight on my scales and take the reward from the palace.”

The next morning, Tenali Rama presented the note and the reward to the king. The king, curious and impressed, asked, “So, what’s the weight?”

Tenali Rama grinned and replied, “Your Majesty, the note says it all. I know the weight, but I never said I would tell you.”

Everyone erupted into laughter once again, and the king couldn’t help but appreciate Tenali’s witty and cunning mind. The story of how Tenali Rama outsmarted everyone and earned his reward became a popular tale in the kingdom, showcasing his intelligence and humor.

Moral of Tenali Rama’s Gift of Elephant Story

Cleverness and wit can be as valuable as knowledge itself, as Tenali Rama’s tale teaches us how ingenuity and humor can lead to unexpected solutions and earn admiration from even the mightiest of rulers.