Tenali Rama Salutes the Donkey

Dadi: "Guddu beta, come sit here. Today I'll tell you a very clever story from the court of the great King Krishna Deva Raya. Have you heard of Tenali Rama?"

Guddu: "Yes Dadi! He was very smart, right? Like a detective?"

Dadi: "Even smarter, beta! He could solve problems that puzzled everyone. Now listen... In the king's court, there was a royal teacher named Thathacharya. He was very learned, but he had one big problem."

Guddu: "What problem, Dadi?"

Dadi: "He thought his way of worshipping God was the only correct way. He followed Lord Vishnu, which is wonderful. But he looked down on others who worshipped differently - the Smarthas who followed Adi Shankaracharya's teachings. Whenever he stepped outside, he would cover his face with his cloak!"

Guddu: "Cover his face? Like hide-and-seek?"

Dadi: "*laughs gently* No no, beta. He covered his face so he wouldn't have to look at anyone from the Smarta tradition. He believed that even looking at them was a sin! Can you imagine how hurt those people must have felt?"

Guddu: "That's so mean, Dadi! Everyone should be treated nicely."

Dadi: "Exactly what the king thought too. The townspeople were very upset, but they were afraid to say anything because Thathacharya was the royal teacher. So they went to Tenali Rama for help. And the king himself secretly asked Tenali to find a solution."

Guddu: "What did Tenali do? Did he fight him?"

Dadi: "Oh no, beta. Tenali never used force. He used his brain! First, he visited Thathacharya's house. When Thathacharya quickly grabbed his cloak to cover his face, Tenali asked innocently, "Why do you cover your face, respected teacher?""

Guddu: "And what did the teacher say?"

Dadi: "Thathacharya said proudly, "Looking at Smarthas is a sin. Whoever does so will be born as a donkey in their next life!" Tenali smiled and went away. But he remembered every word."

Guddu: "*eyes wide* A donkey?! That's silly!"

Dadi: "Very silly indeed. Now comes the clever part. A few days later, the king took everyone on a picnic - Thathacharya, Tenali, and all the wise men of the court. On their way back, they saw a large herd of donkeys coming toward them."

Guddu: "Donkeys? At a picnic?"

Dadi: "Sometimes donkeys graze near gardens, beta. Now watch what Tenali did! He suddenly left everyone, ran toward the donkeys, and started bowing down to them! He folded his hands, touched the ground, and started praying to the donkeys!"

Guddu: "*giggles* Praying to donkeys? That's so funny, Dadi!"

Dadi: "Everyone was shocked! The king asked, "Tenali, what are you doing?" And Tenali said with a straight face, "Maharaj, these are not ordinary donkeys. They are Thathacharya's ancestors and relatives! They must have looked at Smarthas in their previous life, so they were reborn as donkeys. I am simply paying my respects to the teacher's family!""

Guddu: "*laughing* Oh! So he used Thathacharya's own words against him!"

Dadi: "Exactly, beta! The king turned to Thathacharya, expecting an explanation. But what could the poor man say? His own foolish belief had been turned into a joke. He just hung his head in shame."

Guddu: "Did the king get angry?"

Dadi: "The king spoke firmly but kindly. He said, "In my kingdom, all citizens are equal. I will not tolerate any discrimination." From that day on, Thathacharya never covered his face again. He learned his lesson."

Guddu: "Dadi, do people still do this today? Think their way is the only right way?"

Dadi: "*sighs* Yes, beta. Even now, some people think their religion, their caste, or their way of living is better than others. They look down on people who are different."

Guddu: "But that's wrong! God doesn't live in just one temple, right Dadi?"

Dadi: "*hugs Guddu* How wise you are, mere bacche! God is everywhere - in temples, mosques, churches, gurudwaras, and in every loving heart. The clothes we wear, the prayers we say, the rituals we follow - these are just different paths up the same mountain."

Guddu: "So what's the lesson, Dadi?"

Dadi: "The lesson is simple but important: Never look down on others because they are different. Whether someone worships differently, speaks a different language, or comes from a different place - they deserve the same respect as anyone else. And sometimes, like Tenali Rama showed us, the best way to fight foolishness is not with anger, but with cleverness and humor!"

Guddu: "I'll remember that, Dadi! And I'll never be like Thathacharya!"

Dadi: "That's my good boy. Now, do you want some kheer before bed?"

Guddu: "Yes please! And tomorrow, another Tenali Rama story?"

Dadi: "*smiles* We'll see, beta. We'll see."