In a village near Vijayanagara, the greedy landlord Bhupathi arrived with an old document claiming half of poor farmer Ramayya's harvest. With nowhere to turn, Ramayya ran to Tenali Ramakrishna. One simple question — 'Which half do you want, the top or the bottom?' — left Bhupathi with nothing but leaves and roots across three harvests of potatoes, paddy and maize. A funny tale about where greed leads.
01
Poor Farmer Ramayya and Greedy Bhupathi
The Village
In a village near Vijayanagara lived a poor farmer named Ramayya. Relying on the small field he had inherited from his father, he worked hard to grow crops and feed his family.
In the same village lived a rich man named Bhupathi. He had no shortage of money… but there was no end to his greed.
02
An Old Document — Does Half the Harvest Belong to Bhupathi?
Ramayya's House
One day Bhupathi came to Ramayya's house holding an old document.
💰 Bhupathi
"Ramayya, your grandfather borrowed money from my grandfather. That debt was never repaid. So this document says half of every crop from your field belongs to me."
🌾 Ramayya
"Sir… my father never told me about any such debt."
💰 Bhupathi
"So what if he didn't? The document is here! From now on, half of every harvest is mine."
Not knowing what to do, Ramayya ran straight to Tenali Ramakrishna.
🌾 Ramayya
"Sir, you are my only hope. Bhupathi is taking half of my crop."
🪶 Tenali Rama
"Don't be afraid, Ramayya. I'll take care of how that half is given."
03
Ramakrishna's Question — The Top Half or the Bottom Half?
The Field
The next day Ramakrishna came to the field. The whole village gathered there.
🪶 Tenali Rama
"Bhupathi-garu, the document says half is yours. You will certainly get half. The top part or the bottom part… tell us right here, in front of everyone, which half you want."
💰 Bhupathi (arrogantly)
"I want the top half! The whole village is listening!"
Ramakrishna nodded, showing no expression at all.
🪶 Tenali Rama
"So be it."
04
First Harvest — Potatoes, and Bhupathi Gets the Leaves!
Harvest Time
A few months passed. Harvest time came. Bhupathi arrived proudly at the field with his labourers.
💰 Bhupathi
"Cut my top half!"
The labourers cut it and piled it in front of Bhupathi. It was nothing but green leaves and vines!
💰 Bhupathi
"What is this?! What are these leaves?"
🪶 Tenali Rama
"Ramayya planted potatoes, Bhupathi-garu. As you wished, the top half is yours. Those leaves are all yours!"
The villagers roared with laughter. Bhupathi ground his teeth.
💰 Bhupathi
"Fine! This time the mistake was mine. Now I know the tubers grow underground. Next harvest, the bottom half is mine! The top goes to the farmer!"
🪶 Tenali Rama
"As you say, Bhupathi-garu."
05
Second Harvest — Paddy, and Bhupathi Gets Dry Roots!
The Next Season
Another season came. Bhupathi returned with his labourers, completely sure that this time all the tubers would be his.
💰 Bhupathi
"Dig up my bottom half!"
The labourers dug up the ground and piled the bottom part before him. It was nothing but dry roots and stubble!
💰 Bhupathi
"What is this?! Where are the potatoes?"
🪶 Tenali Rama
"This time Ramayya didn't plant potatoes, Bhupathi-garu — he planted paddy. The grain grows up top in the ears. The roots below are all yours!"
The villagers laughed again. Bhupathi shook with rage.
💰 Bhupathi
"You've trapped me twice! This time no one will fool me. The top AND the bottom are both mine! Only the middle goes to the farmer!"
🪶 Tenali Rama (calmly)
"Very well, Bhupathi-garu. It will be exactly as you say."
06
Third Harvest — Maize, and the End of Greed
The Third Season
The third season came. Bhupathi arrived at the field with his labourers and announced grandly—
💰 Bhupathi
"Cut both my halves!"
The labourers separated the tops of the plants and the roots below, and threw them before Bhupathi. Only leaves and roots!
💰 Bhupathi (mouth hanging open)
"What is this?! What are these roots and leaves?"
Just then, in the middle of the field, Ramayya could be seen filling baskets with golden ears of maize.
🪶 Tenali Rama
"This time Ramayya planted maize, Bhupathi-garu. The cobs grow right in the middle of the plant. And you yourself said the middle belongs to the farmer!"
🪶 Tenali Rama
"We gave you exactly what you asked for. But in your greed… every single time, you chose wrong!"
All the villagers laughed. Bhupathi hung his head.
🪶 Tenali Rama
"Bhupathi-garu, take another look at your document. Perhaps you've forgotten some condition."
Hearing that, Bhupathi's anger hit the roof. Trembling with rage, he tore the document to pieces and flung it on the ground.
💰 Bhupathi
"What use is this document to me now?!"
🪶 Tenali Rama
"Oh dear, Bhupathi-garu! You've destroyed the agreement yourself! So from now on, you can't trouble the farmer any more!"
Bhupathi stormed off in anger and pride. With tears in his eyes, Ramayya folded both hands and bowed to Ramakrishna.
🪶 Tenali Rama (with a smile)
"You see… when we try to cheat others out of greed, in the end it is we who are cheated."
Moral of the Story🌽
When we try to cheat others out of greed, in the end it is we who are cheated.
💡 Life Lesson
No one can steal the honest fruit of hard work for long. With clear thinking, even a powerful man's greed can be beaten with his own words.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the moral of Top or Bottom?
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When we try to cheat others out of greed, in the end we are the ones cheated.
How did Ramakrishna outwit Bhupathi?
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Ramayya changed his crop to match whatever Bhupathi chose — potatoes when he took the top, paddy when he took the bottom, and maize when he took both. Each time Bhupathi got only leaves and roots.
What happened to Bhupathi's document?
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In his rage Bhupathi tore up the document himself — losing any right to trouble Ramayya again.
Is this story suitable for children?
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Yes — children aged 6 and up will laugh and learn, and even discover where different crops grow.
