Tenali Raman and the Red Peacock – Story in English
Tenali Raman is one of the great poets or Vikatakavis in the court of the great king Krishnadevaraya. He was also known as one of the Navarathnas or the nine gems in the court of Krishnadevaraya. He was known for his incredible wit and intelligence. There are hundreds of stories which talk about his witty encounters and how he teaches people a lesson when they try to do something wrong. This story is called as “Tenali Raman and the Red Peacock – English short story”. I hope you will enjoy it.
Story of Tenali Raman and the Red Peacock
Once upon a time, King Krishnadevaraya had a very greedy minister called Chatur Pandit. He came to court with a beautiful red peacock. Krishnadevaraya was amazed. He had never seen such a beautiful bird before.
Krishnadevaraya said, “The red peacock is so beautiful. I have never seen such a bird. Where did you find it?”
Chatur Pandit smiled and said, “My King, please accept this gift. My servants searched many jungles and caves in Madhya Pradesh to find this bird. This bird was hiding in the caves. Apparently, the red peacock is allergic to water so it hides from the rain.”
Krishnadevaraya was amazed, “Nature is amazing. The blue peacock loves the rain while the red peacock hates the rain.”
Tenali Raman thought, “That sounds very suspicious. No animal can survive in the forest if it is allergic to rain. Even animals in the desert need water.”
King Krishnadevaraya was very impressed. He said, “I shall keep this bird hidden from the rain. Thank you, Chatur Pandit! How can I reward you?”
Chatur Pandit said, “My King, it cost me a 100 gold coins to search the forest get the bird. That should be enough for me.”
Tenali Raman, “My King, it is such a lovely bird. Please give Chatur Pandit his reward. One feather has fallen down from the peacock. Can I keep it, my king? I will also go to Madhya Pradesh to get more birds like these.”
Krishnadevaraya said, “Alright, Tenali. You can keep the feather and also you have 2 weeks to find more birds.”
The trick
Tenali Raman did not go to Madhya Pradesh. Tenali Raman asked his servants “I washed the feather and found that it is just painted with a beautiful red dye. Find the painter who has painted that peacock.”
The kingdom did not have many painters. His servants searched and found the painter in just two days.
Tenali said to the painter, “Don’t worry, I am not going to punish you. I want you to paint another five peacocks with different colors and give them to me in one week. I also want you to paint five peacocks with their top half in one one color and bottom half in another color.”
The painter did not understand why Tenali was asking such a request. He painted the peacocks exactly how Tenali Raman asked and gave it to him.
One week later
Tenali Raman took the peacocks to the court in one week. The King was very surprised and amazed.
King Krishnadevaraya said, “Tenali. You are incredible. Tell me, where did it cost you to find these birds. I can give you 1000 gold coins.”
Tenali Raman smiled and said, “My King, that is not what it cost to find these birds.”
King Krishnadevaraya said, “What is the price then, Tenali Raman?”
Tenali Raman laughed and said, “3 silver coins. All I need is one bucket of water, a few bags of paint, and this artist. His name is Ram Datta. He painted the first red peacock and also these 10 peacocks.”
King Krishnadevaraya became very angry and said, “Chatur Pandit, how dare you lie to your king. You are hereby banished from this kingdom. Return all the gold which I gave you and 1000 gold coins as a punishment.”
Chatur Pandit sadly paid back 1100 gold coins and left the kingdom.
Moral of the Tenali Raman story
Beware of tricksters trying to change and sell something with just a layer of color.
