The Brinjal Curry

King Krishnadevaraya loved his royal gardens. Among all the plants, his favorite was a special patch of rare, purple brinjals (eggplants). These weren’t ordinary vegetables; they were a special variety that tasted like heaven when cooked. The King loved them so much that he counted them every day.

“No one is allowed to pick these,” he ordered. “The punishment for stealing a royal brinjal is… severe!”

Tenali Raman, the King’s witty minister, walked by the garden every day. He saw the shiny purple vegetables and his mouth watered. One evening, he couldn’t resist. He jumped over the low fence, picked three juicy brinjals, and hid them in his pockets.

He went home and showed them to his wife. “Look, my dear! The King’s special brinjals! Please make your famous spicy curry.” His wife was terrified. “Tenali! If the King finds out, we will be in trouble!” “Don’t worry,” said Tenali. “Just cook.”

The aroma of the curry filled the house. It was delicious. As they sat down to eat, their young son woke up. He rubbed his sleepy eyes. “It smells good,” he said. “Can I have some?”

Tenali froze. He knew that children are innocent and often speak the truth. If the King asked the boy, he would reveal everything. Tenali thought fast. “Of course, son,” he said. “Come eat.” The boy ate the curry happily.

After dinner, Tenali took a bucket of water and carried his son to the backyard. Even though the sky was clear and full of stars, Tenali poured the water over the child’s head. “Oh no!” shouted Tenali. “It is raining! It is raining heavily! Run inside, quick!” The sleepy boy, confused and wet, ran back to bed, thinking it had really rained.

The next morning, the King discovered the missing brinjals. He was furious. “Who stole my vegetables?” A guard stepped forward. “sire, I saw Tenali walking near the garden late last night.”

The King summoned Tenali immediately. “Tenali! Did you steal my brinjals?” “No, Your Majesty,” said Tenali innocently. “We will see,” said the King. “I heard your family had a feast last night.” The King called for Tenali’s son. “Little boy,” asked the King gently, “what did you have for dinner last night?”

“Brinjal curry!” said the boy happily. “It was yummy!” The King turned red. “Aha! I caught you, Tenali!” “Wait, Your Majesty,” said Tenali. “The boy is dreaming. Ask him something else.”

“Tell me, child,” asked the King, “what happened after dinner?” “we played,” said the boy. “and then it rained heavily! My father took me outside and we got soaking wet in the storm!”

The King paused. He looked out the window. The ground was bone dry. It hadn’t rained in Vijayanagara for weeks. “Rained?” the King muttered. “The boy is clearly imagining things. If he imagined the rain, he must have imagined the curry too.”

The King apologized to Tenali and sent him home. Later that evening, Tenali felt guilty. He went back to the court and confessed. “Your Majesty, I cannot lie to you. I did steal the brinjals. And I tricked my son to save myself.”

The King laughed loudly. “Tenali, your wit saves you again! Your trick was so clever that I cannot be angry. But next time, just ask me for the vegetables!”

Moral of the Story: Cleverness can get you out of trouble, but honesty catches up eventually.

Moral of the Story: Quick thinking can save you from tricky situations, but honesty is always best in the long run.