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 wanted a new palace exactly like the one he had seen. They were ordered to make the drawings so that work on it might start. A huge reward was announced to those who helped make the right design and build the dream palace.
The architects and the engineers, the craftsmen and the artisans were all delighted. The ministers could not say anything but they knew that this crazy project of the King’s would empty the treasury completely. How were they to run the kingdom, how could they fight wars, pay the soldiers and maintain the army and the commerce? But they dared not say anything in front of the King.
They consulted with one another and finally decided that perhaps Tenali Raman could find some way to stop this wastage. Therefore, they went to his house and told him about the project. He heard them and agreed that something would have to be done.
“Give me a few days to think of a plan, my friends. Then we will talk again,” he assured them.
A few days later, an old man rushed into the court, crying for help. The King sat up in surprise. “Who are you, my dear? And what do you want?” asked the King.
“Oh, Sir, my name is Trivikrama. I live in a village near by. I have been robbed by the State. All that I owned is lost! Gone! Stolen by the State! My wife and children on the road! You must help me, Sir!” told the old man.
“Tell me who the corrupt adhikaris are. Name them,” ordered the King.
“Sir, along with the adhikaris….,” the man said hesitantly, and stopped.
“Who was with them? Tell me everything clearly,” the King demanded.
“Sir, I had a dreadful dream last night. I dreamt that all my property was grabbed by adhikaris and they were led by you. All my money was kept in a trunk. You made the guards pick it up and take it away.”
“You had a dream? All this was only a stupid dream? How did you think this was real?” said the King who was thoroughly angry.
“Yes, Sir. But if a dream palace can be real, perhaps my horrid dream will also turn out to be real,” said the old man humbly. You believe in your dream, don’t you, Sir?”
The King was speechless as he realized the stupidity of his own dream palace. As he watched, Tenali Raman took off his beard and stood up straight. The Kingunderstood
his trick now!
He said no new palace would be built and the ministers smiled with relief. The treasury was saved!
