The Magician from a Distant Land
One day, a great magician from a distant land arrived at the royal court. With a cloth bag hanging at his side, he bowed low before the King.
He waved his staff — and jasmine flowers showered down out of thin air! The courtiers gasped in wonder.
The magician bowed to the King again — then threw a scornful look at the row of ministers.
A Wager of Heads
Standing in the middle of the court, the magician pointed around the hall and threw down a proud challenge.
The whole court fell silent. The ministers looked down at their feet. Only one poet stepped forward — but how would he win? No one knew.
The magician threw his head back and roared with laughter — as if to say, is that all?
Agnivarna Tandula Churnam
The guard stared back, totally confused — he had never heard such a name. Ramakrishna leaned to his ear, cupped his hand and whispered something. The guard's face lit up; he nodded and hurried out.
A little later, a brass bowl heaped with bright red powder was carried into the middle of the court.
With Eyes Closed…
Ramakrishna sat cross-legged in the middle of the court. He shut his eyes tight and touched the powder onto his closed eyelids with his fingertips. The courtiers gasped — one minister even covered his own eyes!
Then he slowly wiped his face with a white cloth, and opened his eyes with a smile.
⚠ This is only a story — please don't try it at home.
The Magician Gives Up
The magician opened his eyes wide and lifted a pinch of the powder… but his hand froze. Quietly, he put it back in the bowl.
As he leaned closer — Achoo! Achoo! Achoo! — he sneezed three times. A red puff of powder rose like a cloud, and the whole court burst out laughing.
The Real Magic
The King's eyes went wide with happy disbelief. He looked at the bowl, then at Ramakrishna — and burst into laughter, slapping the arm of his throne.
The magician rubbed the powder between his fingers and sniffed it… then slowly broke into a rueful smile.
⚠ Children, this is only a story. Never put any powder in your eyes!
The one who thinks before he speaks is wiser than the one who boasts.
Don't be frightened by a colour or a grand name — first ask what something really is. The calm thinker wins over the one who throws out proud challenges. And true greatness is lifting up the one who lost, instead of humiliating him.
The one who thinks before he speaks is wiser than the one who boasts. Calm thinking is a greater strength than proud challenges.
Agnivarna means fire-red colour, Tandula means rice and Churnam means powder or flour — so it was simply red-coloured rice flour! The grand name and the bright red colour made everyone think it was something fiery.
He judged the red powder by its looks and was afraid. He gave up without ever asking what it really was. Ramakrishna won not with magic, but with words and clear thinking.
Yes — children aged 6 and above will love it. But it is only a story: please remind children never to put any powder in their eyes.
Tenali Rama Stories — RayalSabha · Subscribe to @Rayalsabha on YouTube
New Tenali Rama stories every week!
Subscribe on YouTube so you never miss a story.