Once a poet wrote a poem in praise of king Krishnadeva Raya and pleased king. The asked him what he would like as a reward. “Give me a hound,” said the poet. The court members looked at one another in disbelief. They felt the poet had missed a golden opportunity to make some money and pitied him. “If it is a hound you want, you’ve got it,” said the king. “Your Majesty is generous,” said the poet. “Now if I had a horse I could go hunting with the hound.” “You can have a horse too,” said the king. The poet said, “When I return from the hunt it would be nice if I had someone to cook the game I have brought.” The king gave him a cook. “Your generosity is boundless,” said the poet. “But where will I keep all these presents you have heaped on me?” The king gave him a mansion. “I am overwhelmed,” said the poet. “But how will I maintain such a large establish-ment, Your Majesty?” “I will give you a date plantation,” said the king. “It will fetch you enough to run a palace.” “Never has the world known such generosity,” said the poet, and kissed the king’s hand and left, leaving the courtiers dumbfounded.
The Poet’s Reward
