The royal court of Vijayanagara was crowded.
Scholars from distant lands had arrived,
each claiming to be the wisest of all.
One scholar spoke loudly and confidently.
“I have mastered every scripture,”
he announced.
“There is no question I cannot answer.”
The courtiers nodded.
Someone whispered,
“Where is Tenali Raman today?”
Tenali stood quietly at the back of the court.
The scholar noticed him and laughed.
“So,” he said mockingly,
“is this the famous Tenali Raman?
I expected someone more… impressive.”
The king watched carefully.
The scholar continued boasting.
“Let us test intelligence,” he said.
“Ask me anything.”
Tenali remained silent.
The scholar smirked.
“Has Tenali Raman lost his words?”
The court laughed softly.
The king raised his hand.
“Tenali,” he said,
“do you wish to respond?”
Tenali stepped forward.
Still silent.
He slowly picked up a palm-leaf manuscript
lying near the throne.
He placed it on the floor.
Then he picked up another
and placed it on top.
One by one,
he stacked several manuscripts.
Finally,
he placed an empty palm leaf
on the very top.
The scholar looked confused.
“What is this supposed to mean?”
he asked.
Tenali said nothing.
The king leaned forward.
The scholar frowned
and tried to explain.
“The bottom manuscripts support the top one,”
he said.
“The empty leaf cannot stand without knowledge below.”
Tenali smiled gently
and bowed.
The court fell silent.
The king spoke.
“You have answered your own challenge,”
he said.
The scholar looked puzzled.
Tenali finally spoke.
“True knowledge,” Tenali said calmly,
“does not shout.
It supports quietly.”
He pointed to the stack.
“The one who speaks the most
is often standing on the least.”
The scholar’s face turned red.
The court burst into applause.
The king smiled.
“Tenali Raman,” he declared,
“you have won—
without saying a word.”
The scholar bowed his head in defeat.
That day,
everyone learned that
wisdom does not need noise
to be heard.
🌟 MORAL OF THE STORY
True intelligence is calm and quiet.
Those who boast often know less
than those who listen.
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