One day, one man wanted to punish a man named Krishna. He accused him of stealing his necklace. The case was brought in the Judge’s court. The man said, “Your Honour, I have seen him stealing the necklace.” Krishna said, “I am innocent, Your Honour.” The man then said, “Let him prove his innocence. Let me bring the hot iron, and if he can hold it in his bare hands, then I will agree that he has not stolen my necklace.”
Krishna asked the judge to give him one day to look for that necklace again. The judge gave him permission. He took advice from Tenali. He returned next day. He came back and said, “I am ready for that, Sir, if you think so. But the same thing should apply to him too. If he is speaking the truth, then the red hot iron should not burn his hands as well. So let him bring that red hot iron holding in his both hands; then I will hold that iron in my bare hands.” The man bowed hastily and went away.
