The King's Order
The rat problem in Vijayanagara was growing worse by the day. Grain in the godowns, farmers' crops, merchants' goods — all suffering heavy losses to rats. On learning this, King Krishnadevaraya immediately called a special court session.
The entire court praised the King's decision. But the poet-minister Tenali Ramakrishna alone stayed silent.
Tenali's Secret Plan
Tenali sat thinking quietly for a while. Then he called out to his wife, Sarada.
Sarada happily went to the kitchen and brought the milk. Tenali looked at it and spoke.
Sarada looked puzzled but did as asked, returning soon with piping hot milk. Tenali placed it in front of the cat.
Hungry, the cat came to drink — burned its tongue — and bolted away in fear.
Tenali said nothing more. A few days later, as Sarada was feeding the cat rice and curd instead, she asked again.
And with that, he returned to his work — leaving Sarada completely puzzled.
Months Later
Months passed. Yet the rat menace hadn't reduced anywhere near what the King had expected. Krishnadevaraya was baffled.
The Test in the Royal Court
The next morning, the court grounds filled with cats — all plump, glossy, well-fed. Amid them, Tenali's cat alone stood out — lean and alert.
Laughter rippled through the court. The King was astonished.
He ordered it tested at once. A servant brought fresh milk in a silver bowl. The moment it was set before Tenali's cat, it leapt back in terror and bolted far away.
The entire court exchanged astonished glances. Krishnadevaraya turned to Tenali.
The Truth Comes Out
Tenali bowed respectfully and began to explain.
Murmurs rippled through the court again. Tenali continued.
The entire court fell silent.
Resolution
After a thoughtful silence, Krishnadevaraya smiled.
The King amended his order at once — arranging special milk support for poor families, and directing the royal godowns to be secured more effectively to curb the rat problem itself.
Comfort beyond what is truly needed slowly kills a sense of duty. True statecraft means helping those in the most urgent need — first.
True leadership isn't about spending more — it's about correctly understanding who needs what, and when. Tenali chose to prioritize the kingdom's poor children's real need over his own cat's comfort.
Comfort beyond what is needed slowly kills duty. True governance means helping those in the most urgent need first.
Once its tongue was burned, the cat grew permanently wary of milk. It thrived on rice, curd, and fish instead — freeing up the milk for Tenali to give to poor children who truly needed it.
Every other cat had grown plump on milk, but Tenali's cat, fed on rice and curd, stayed lean and alert — a difference the King couldn't help but notice.
Yes, this story suits children aged 8 and above well, teaching a gentle lesson about not over-indulging and the value of sharing.
This video is narrated in Telugu with English subtitles.
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