Tenali Raman and the Clay Pot – Tenali Raman Story for Kids

Even the best of friends fight sometimes. King Krishnadevaraya and his favorite jester, Tenali Raman, were no exception.

One day, they had a terrible argument in the court. The King was in a foul mood, and Tenali made a joke that the King did not find funny. The King turned red with rage. He pointed a finger at the door. “Tenali!” he shouted. “You have crossed the line! Get out of my court immediately!”

Tenali tried to apologize, “But Your Majesty…”

“Silence!” roared the King. “I do not want to hear your voice, and I certainly do not want to see your face. If you dare to show me your face again, I will have you thrown in the dungeon! Now go!”

Tenali bowed sadly and left the palace. The court became very quiet. The King sat on his throne, fuming.

The next day, the King’s anger had cooled down. He missed his friend. The court felt boring and dull without Tenali’s jokes. But the King was too proud to call him back. “He must learn his lesson,” thought the King.

Later that afternoon, the King decided to ride his horse through the city market to inspect the shops. His guards cleared the way. “Make way for the King!” they shouted.

People bowed as the King rode past. Suddenly, the King noticed a very strange sight. A man was standing on the side of the road with a large, round clay pot over his head. The pot covered his entire head and neck, resting on his shoulders. He had cut two small holes in the pot so he could peek out.

The man was bowing theatrically. The sight was so ridiculous that the King stopped his horse. “Who is this madman?” asked the King. “Why are you wearing a pot on your head, you fool?”

A muffled, familiar voice echoed from inside the pot. “It is me, Your Majesty! Your humble servant, Tenali Raman.”

The King’s eyes flashed with anger. “Tenali! Did I not tell you yesterday that I never wanted to see your face again? How dare you come before me?”

“I am following your orders strictly, Your Majesty!” protested the pot-headed man.

“What do you mean?” demanded the King.

Tenali tapped the clay pot. Clink, clink. “You said unwanted to see my face,” explained Tenali. “And you are not seeing it! My face is safely hidden inside this dark pot. You are only seeing a pot, and my body. I have not disobeyed you!”

The King looked at the funny, painted pot with two blinking eyes peering out of the holes. He tried to stay angry, but the corners of his mouth started to twitch. It was just too funny.

First, he chuckled. Then, he laughed. Finally, the King threw his head back and roared with laughter. “Oh, Tenali!” wiped the King. “You are impossible! No one can stay angry with you.”

“Does that mean I can take this pot off?” asked Tenali. “It is getting very hot in here.”

“Yes, yes,” said the King. “Take it off and come back to the palace. I forgive you.”

Tenali pulled the pot off his head, gasping for fresh air, and grinned. Once again, his wit had saved him from punishment.

Moral of the Story: There is always a clever way around a problem. Laughter destroys anger faster than any apology.