Story Summary
Discover how the witty Tenali Raman uses a clever trick to help King Krishnadevaraya realize that building a floating palace from a dream is impossible.
King Krishnadevaraya once had a vivid dream of a magnificent palace built of gold and precious stones that floated in the clouds. Enchanted by this vision, he summoned his ministers and commanded them to build such a palace within a year. The ministers were terrified; they knew constructing a floating palace was physically impossible, yet they dared not refuse the King's command. In desperation, they sought help from Tenali Raman. A few days later, an old man arrived at the court, weeping loudly. He claimed that the King had personally come to his house the previous night with his soldiers and looted all his life's savings. The King was outraged, shouting that he hadn't left the palace at all. The old man replied, 'But Your Majesty, I saw it in my dream!' The King laughed, saying dreams are not real. Tenali Raman, who was standing nearby, bowed and said, 'If a dream about a robbery isn't real, how can a dream about a floating palace be?' The King realized his folly and rewarded Tenali for his wit.
The Moral
One must distinguish between fantasy and reality, and not demand the impossible based on mere dreams.
“If a dream about a robbery isn't real, how can a dream about a floating palace be?”
Fun Fact
Tenali Raman was one of the 'Ashtadiggajas', or the eight great poets, who graced the court of the Vijayanagara Emperor Krishnadevaraya.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the King's dream in Tenali Raman and the King's Dream?
King Krishnadevaraya dreamed of a magnificent, magical palace made of gold and precious stones that could float in the sky and move at his will.
Why were the ministers worried about the King's request?
The ministers were worried because the King demanded they build the floating palace from his dream, which was an impossible task that defied the laws of nature.
How did Tenali Raman help the ministers?
Tenali Raman hired an old man to come to court and claim the King robbed him in a dream, forcing the King to admit that dreams are not reality.
What lesson did King Krishnadevaraya learn?
The King learned that dreams are just reflections of the mind and that it is foolish to try and make impossible fantasies come true in the real world.
Who was Tenali Raman in real life?
Tenali Raman was a famous Telugu poet and advisor in the court of King Krishnadevaraya of the Vijayanagara Empire, known for his extraordinary wit and intelligence.
What is the significance of the old man in the story?
The old man serves as a mirror to the King's own irrationality, showing him that if he wouldn't accept a dream as evidence of a crime, he shouldn't expect a dream to be a blueprint for a building.