In a lively kingdom filled with colorful markets and happy laughter, there was a kind king named Krishnadevaraya. Every year, he remembered his beloved mother by doing something special. One sunny day, he called for the head priest, a man whose sparkling eyes seemed to dance with mischief. “Oh, wise priest,” the king said, “how can I honor my mother’s memory this year?”
Rubbing his hands together, the head priest replied with a sly grin, “Your Majesty, your mother’s spirit is restless! She longed for juicy mangoes, but never got to taste them. To bring her peace, you must give away one hundred and eight golden mangoes in shining silver bowls to one hundred and eight Brahmins!”
Without a second thought, the king agreed, and soon, golden mangoes that glimmered like little suns were crafted. The priests waddled away, their pockets filled with riches and their hearts brimming with delight. But clever Tenali Raman, the wisest man in the kingdom, sensed something was amiss.
With a twinkle in his eye, Tenali decided to teach the greedy priest a lesson. He invited everyone, including the king and the priests, to a grand ceremony for his own mother. The head priest, thinking of treasures, eagerly attended.
On the big day, the hall buzzed with excitement. Tenali greeted everyone with a smile, then vanished behind a curtain. Suddenly, he reappeared, holding a glowing red-hot poker that sizzled like a dragon’s breath!
“Dear priests,” he said cheerfully, “my mother wanted to feel the warmth of this poker on her palm, but never had the chance! I need YOU to take it for her!” The head priest's eyes widened in terror, and he stammered, “I have an urgent appointment!” With that, he darted towards the door, causing a hilarious chaos as the other priests scrambled after him, tripping over their robes.
King Krishnadevaraya chuckled at the sight. Tenali calmly set down the poker and turned to the king. “If they are willing to hold a hot poker for your mother, their intentions are true. If they run, we should wonder about their hearts.”
The king pondered, realizing that true love is shared through stories and laughter, rather than through golden gifts meant for greedy hands. From that day on, he celebrated his mother’s memory with joy and kindness, filling the kingdom with love.