The Debt That Revived Tenali Raman
Tenali Raman, known for his sharp wit and ingenuity, found himself in a tricky spot after borrowing 100 gold coins from King Krishnadevaraya. Unable to repay the loan despite the passing of time, he was visited by a messenger from the palace demanding repayment. Raman, however, had no funds to settle the debt and decided to resolve the matter in his unique way.
Raman staged his own “death.” He lay motionless on a bed, covered in white cloth, while his mother and wife wailed beside him. Their cries drew neighbors, and soon word of his “death” reached the palace. Deeply moved, King Krishnadevaraya came to pay his respects.
Upon hearing that Raman had “died” from the weight of his unpaid debt, the king was filled with guilt and compassion. He immediately ordered his manager to forgive Raman’s debt, ensuring his grieving family would no longer suffer.
The moment the king’s order was declared, Raman dramatically “rose” from the bed, startling everyone. Bowing before the king, he said with a grin, “Oh lord! Your generosity has resurrected me! The burden of debt had crushed my life, but your kindness breathed it back into me!”
The king, though initially shocked, couldn’t help but laugh at Raman’s antics. Pleased by his cleverness and daring, the king not only forgave the debt but also increased Raman’s salary to ensure he would never need to borrow money again.
Moral of the Story:
Cleverness and humor can defuse even the most challenging situations, but honesty and integrity always earn lasting rewards.