One day, Tenali saw there were some soldiers travelling with him. They were talking about their veteran past experi-ences on the battlefield.
They spoke of bravery, hard times and many crucial battles that they had fought. When they finished, they asked Raman if he had anything to share as they thought he could have nothing related to bravery to share at all.
But Raman replied in the affirmative that he did have something to share, and everyone was shocked. He said he once saw a dreaded dacoit lying down on a mat and, hence, he cut off his toe and ran away.
On hearing this, the soldiers said he should have cut the dacoit’s head instead.
Thereupon Tenali grinned and replied, “Someone had already done that.” Everyone listening to his tale was dumbstruck.
A Heroic Deed
