Thenali Raman story 24:The Red Peacock

Krishna Deva Raya was especially intrigued by gathering outlandish things from over his kingdom and abroad. A portion of his pastors and subjects misused this shortcoming of the King. The insightful priest, Tenali Rama, perceived this issue. He realized that conveying this specifically to the King's consideration will just cause fierceness. Be that as it may, Krishna Deva Raya was a clever ruler, so Tenali Ram sat tight for a chance to indicate out the King his own blemish with the goal that the King could offer some kind of reparation.

The shrewdness serves and degenerate squires were having a great time and swelling their satchels by showing the King phony and useless items touted as precious fortunes. Chatur Pandit was the boss among these insatiable priests. His covetousness for gold coins from the King knew no limits. He was continually considering cleverer approaches to remove all the more undeserving prizes from the King. Tenali Rama was attentive of Pandit's exercises.

One day, Chatur Pandit touched base at the King's court with a red peacock!

The King was flabbergasted.

No one in the court had ever observed such a display previously.

"This is really the most fascinating flying creature I have ever observed, " commented Krishna Deva Raya, his eyes enlarging in stunningness.

"What an uncommon animal!", ringed the subjects in tune.

Seeing that the minute was ready, Chatur Pandit started to speak: "Your Majesty, It gives me monstrous joy to add to the imperial zoological display this rarest of the feathered creatures. Throughout the previous two years, two of my dependable workers, very much prepared in the sciences of creature following and chasing, had been scouring the thick timberlands over the world to catch it. At long last they figured out how to catch it from the densest wildernesses of Madhya Pradesh. I am happy to present to your Highness, the best lord on the planet, the products of our hard work. With this precious winged animal in your authority, your esteem will achieve the sky."

Tenali Rama continued watching the fledgling precisely.

Ruler Krishna Deva Raya was completely awed with Chatur's introduction. "You are in reality our reliable subject, Chatur Pandit," he stated, "Ask immediately, in what manner might I remunerate you?"

"Being your modest worker is all the gift I look for this birth," stooped the cleverness serve, "Yet I will be glad if the King can discount me the riches I needed to part with keeping in mind the end goal to finance the laborious endeavor looking for this animal."

"Totally!", said the King, "Treasurer, I arrange you to pay Chatur whatever he requests."

"One hundred gold coins," shrilled Chatur Pandit immediately.

SOURCE

One moment, O Beloved King,” interjected Tenali Rama!
Everyone turned their attention to him.
“I think we should observe this bird in captivity for at least a week before paying for the expedition. I suspect that such a rare bird from the deep forest might find it difficult to survive in the new conditions. I volunteer to undertake another expedition to the densest jungles of Madhya Pradesh to bring back the brothers and sisters of this magnificent Red peacock so that it shall be happy to be in the royal zoo.”
Krishna Deva Raya leaned back on this throne. From the expression on Tenali Rama’s face, the King knew that his cleverest minister was up to something. The King had the highest regard for the intelligence of Tenali Rama. So he played along.
Before Chatur Pandit could voice his protest, the King stood up and commanded, “I here by order Tenali Rama to return to this court in two weeks with more specimens of the rare Red peacock species so that our menagerie can be enhanced.”
The King left the court and the courtiers followed. Tenali Rama remained seated till everyone had left. Then he walked over to the area were the peacock was displayed and picked up a feather that had fallen off.
It was clear to him that the red color had been painted on!
Tenali Rama did not attend the court for the next ten days. While this made Chatur Pandit very anxious, the King and other courtiers had forgotten about the “expedition” that was sanctioned. Tenali Rama had not left the town. He was not having a tough time trying to locate more red peacocks in the far away jungles. He remained happily at home. His spies tracked down the painter whom Chatur Pandit had employed to “create” the Red Peacock. The painter was terrified when he was brought over to Tenali Rama’s house.
“Don’t be afraid,” Tenali Rama calmed him, “You have done no harm. You did not know the hidden agenda of Chatur Pandit. In fact, your work was so flawless that the King and all the courtiers were convinced the peacock was naturally red. Now I would like to use your talent for a good cause. Paint for me ten more peacocks. I will make sure that your service is duly rewarded.”
On the 14th day after the expedition was sanctioned, a poster appeared outside the palace announcing:
“Triumphant return of Minister Tenali Rama. The family of the rarest of the birds - The Incredible Red Peacocks on display today. The display is only for one day at the court of the Emperor Krishna Deva Raya.”
The palace grounds were packed with people as the court assembled that day. The King himself arrived early, eager to find out what amusing trick Tenali Rama was going to pull.
As the clock struck ten, Tenali Rama entered the court. Following him were handlers pushing cages that held ten brilliant red peacocks.
“Long Live the King,” said Tenali Rama. “I have returned with the specimens as promised. I would like to be rewarded for the labor.”
“What a remarkable achievement,” said the King. “We are very pleased with you, Tenali Rama. I order the treasurer to pay you one thousand gold coins as the price of these ten red peacocks.”
“Actually your majesty that is not how much they cost,” said Tenali Rama.
“How much do you want?”, asked the King puzzled.
“I’d like to be paid a bucket of water, a bag of red ochre powder and one gold coin to reward the skill and labor of this artist,” said Tenali Rama pointing to the painter who had come along with him.
A dark cloud of fear descended on Chatur Pandit’s face when he recognized the painter. He knew he had been caught red-handed indeed. He began sweating profusely in anticipation of King’s anger and punishment.
Krishna Deva Raya realized that he had been tricked. He was about to order his soldiers to arrest Chatur Pandit when Tenali Rama spoke, “Dear King, do not be wrathful. Minister Chatur Pandit was instrumental in helping me bring an important matter to your attention. Beloved King, you were so blinded by your desire for power and prestige that you were ost," said Tenali Rama.

"What amount do you need?", asked the King baffled.

"I'd get a kick out of the chance to be paid a container of water, a pack of red ochre powder and one gold coin to compensate the aptitude and work of this craftsman," said Tenali Rama indicating the painter who had joined him.

A dull billow of dread slipped on Chatur Pandit's face when he perceived the painter. He knew he had been caught in the act to be sure. He started sweating abundantly in suspicion of King's displeasure and discipline.

Krishna Deva Raya understood that he had been deceived. He was going to arrange his officers to capture Chatur Pandit when Tenali Rama spoke, "Dear King, don't be furious.

Pastor Chatur Pandit was instrumental in helping me draw an imperative issue out into the open. Dearest King, you were so blinded by your craving for power and esteem that you were ready to acknowledge that a red peacock could truly exist. You overlooked how ludicrous it would be that a flying creature of this size with such a splendid red shading made due in a woodland brimming with tigers, lions and different predators! Your egotism in your riches influenced you to pay a cost to have such an outlandish looking monster without considering whether it is valid or what is its value."

"O Just Emperor," he proceeded, " for quite a while parcel of the cash from our treasury has been squandered in the procurement of the fascinating and the uncommon. The genuine esteem of a King originates from the thriving of every resident in his Kingdom not from the show of riches. I ask you to save Chatur Pandit and reward this painter who helped me draw this out into the open."

The King took couple of minutes to way the savvy expressions of his splendid clergyman. He understood his grave mix-up. He guaranteed Tenali Rama that he would be more reasonable in future. He apologized to his residents and squires for having mishandled the kingdom's riches in a questions and answers of glory and status.

Chatur Pandit fell at the King's feet looking for kindness. He was expelled from the court for a month as a token discipline and was requested to restore all the past blessings he had gotten from the court.

By at that point, rainstorm billows of the late morning had arrived. The peacocks were moving at seeing the thick dark rain loaded mists. The pouring precipitation soon started washing off the red paint from them. Lord Krishna Deva Raya couldn't resist snickering at this sight. He was extremely satisfied that he had the great organization of Tenali Rama to show him great lessons at whatever point fundamental. With such insightful men to help him, he felt certain about his rule.

The general population moved in the rain at the favorable luck of having a King who was not reluctant in conceding his slip-ups and offering some kind of reparation. Chatur Pandit strolled home alone in the rain.