Once Tenali, returning home with his week’s wages, was accosted by an armed robber on a deserted street.
“Take my money,” said Tenali, “but do me a favour; shoot a bullet through my hat, otherwise my wife won’t believe I was robbed.” The robber obliged. He threw Raman’s hat into the air and shot a bullet through it. “Let’s make it look as if I ran into a gang of robbers,” said Raman, “otherwise my wife will call me a coward! Please shoot a number of holes through my coat.” So the robber shot a number of holes through the Raman’s coat. “And now…” “Sorry,” interrupted the robber, “No more holes. I’m out of bullets.”
“That’s all I wanted to know!” said Tenali, “Now hand me back my money and some more for the hat and coat that you’ve ruined or I’ll beat you black and blue.”
The robber threw down the money and ran. Tenali had won over the robber through his wit and wisdom.
