Tatthacharya was the Rajaguru at the court. He was respected and liked. But not all his views were very sensible. Sometimes he said things which were quite foolish.One day he said, “The rich are more honest than the poor who need money. So, they steal and commit crimes more often.” None argued with him. But […]
Chapter 5 Kim coughed a little as he put down the empty glass, and considered. This seemed a time for caution and fancy. Small boys who prowl about camps are generally turned out after a whipping. But he had received no stripes; the amulet was evidently working in his favour, and it looked as though
The ministers, the ashtadiggajas and the Rajaguru were arguing one day about people finding fault with others, but not improving their own faults. The Rajaguru felt this was not true. Tenali Raman was silent.Meanwhile, an artist came in with a painting and showed it to the King and the courtiers. It was an exquisite painting
Krishnadeva Raya toured his kingdom to find out how things were going. Often Tenali Raman accompanied him. Once, travelling to Bijapur, he saw a lavish wedding in a rich landlord’s house. He stopped to watch for a while. Then he asked Tenali Raman, “How much do you think this fellow has spent on this wedding?”Tenali
Vijayanagara was a great centre for trade and commerce. Merchants came from many countries to carry on their businesses and also settle down in the prosperous kingdom of King Krishnadeva Raya. Often, they brought rare and costly gifts also for the King. Once the King received a very rare plant from a Persian merchant.He was
King Krishnadeva Raya was very fond of birds and animals. He loved to have pets around the palace. Most of his subjects knew of his interest in collecting exotic birds and animals.One day, a guard informed the court that a bird-catcher had come to present a strange bird to the King. The bird-catcher was called
The King always rewarded Tenali Raman for his amazing wisdom and also for the witty manner in which he could deal with the most difficult problems. One day, the King had rewarded him richly with varahas. The courtiers watched in jealous silence as Tenali Raman gratefully accepted a large plate loaded with gold coins. Now,
Several stray dogs sat outside the sweet shop hoping that some kind person would give them something to eat. They wagged their tails and looked friendly whenever anyone walked by.One day, Tenali Raman came to buy sweets at the shop. He saw the dogs outside and, being a kind person, he patted one of them
Tenali Raman travelled all over Vijayanagara kingdom, sometimes on the King’s work and sometimes on his own. One day, he was returning to Hampi when night fell. It was a cold, windy night and rain began to fall heavily as he looked for a shelter. Seeing a light, he rode towards it and saw that
Tenali Raman could help people with his wise solutions to their problems. But he was also capable of being thoroughly irritating with his pranks and tricks! And he played his pranks on Krishnadeva Raya too, often forgetting that he was the King!Once he went too far and the King was really annoyed. So, Krishnadeva Raya
It was the King’s birthday. The whole kingdom celebrated. The palace was full of lights and flowers and people bustling around. The King received costly gifts from merchants and landowners and from other kings too. The attendants had been ordered to take very good care of all the gifts and ensure that they suffered no
King Krishnadeva Raya was a great patron of talent. If he found anyone who was a great artist in any field, he would invite him to the court and reward him. Once, he found Achyuta Rao, a painter of great merit.The King invited him to the court to paint his portrait. And what a fine
Tenali Raman had a friend, Tirumala, who owned an inn at Hampi. He had inherited it from his father. It was called Deccan Suryam. Tirumala was having trouble because the inn was not making enough money. He was always struggling to make both ends meet. All his efforts seemed to fail.One day when he met
King Krishnadeva Raya had become very fat. He simply sat around and ate all kinds of food and did no exercise at all. The courtiers and the ministers were worried about him.“He used to be so active,” they whispered to one another. “He rode and practised sword play and walked through the kingdom, and led
King Krishnadeva Raya was fast asleep. And he was smiling because he was having a wonderful dream. He saw a vast, glittering palace which seemed to float in the air.He awoke, still happy and full of memories of his dream. He called his ministers architects and engineers and described the palace he had seen. He