The Best Lie in Vijayanagara
The king holds a contest for the best lie, with a prize of a thousand gold coins.
Tenali Raman stories
These Tenali Raman stories follow a quick-witted courtier through clever tricks, lively arguments, and amusing tests of common sense. Read favorites such as “The Brinjals of the Royal Garden” and “The Debate in Signs,” or listen to them read aloud in a natural voice; every story is free to read or to listen to on Pagehush.
The Price of a Horse
A rich man’s will says the money from selling his horse must go to a poor family.
Tenali Chooses How to Die
Tenali Raman finally goes too far, and the furious king sentences him to death.
Washing the Black Dog
The royal barber pleases the king so much that he asks to be made a minister.
Tenali Paints a Picture
Tenali Raman takes up painting, and presents the king with a picture of a cow eating grass.
Tenali Raman and the Goddess Kali
Young Ramakrishna spends a night in a temple and meets the goddess Kali, with a thousand heads.
Tenali Raman and the Thieves
Two thieves hide in Tenali Raman’s garden, planning to rob him in the night.
Tenali Raman’s Cat
The king gives every courtier a cat and a cow to keep down the rats in the city.
The Brinjals of the Royal Garden
Tenali’s wife longs to taste the king’s famous brinjals, which nobody else is allowed to eat.
The Debate in Signs
A scholar from a far-off land challenges the court to a debate without words, using only signs.
The Dog’s Curly Tail
A courtier boasts that with enough effort you can change anything’s nature.
The Golden Mangoes
The king’s mother dies wishing for a mango, and greedy priests tell the king he must give them mangoes made of gold.
The Hungry Horse
The king gives each courtier a horse and money to feed it for a year.
The Palace in the Air
The king dreams of a palace floating in the sky, and offers a reward to anyone who can build it.
The Pot on Tenali’s Head
The king is so angry with Tenali that he orders him never to show his face at court again.
The Queen Who Was Angry
The king scolds the queen for yawning while he reads her his new play, and she stops speaking to him.
The Red Peacock
A courtier presents the king with an astonishing red peacock, and asks for a great deal of money to search for more.
The Root of the Rasagulla
The king wakes up craving rasagullas, but a courtier tells him the plant they grow on is out of season.
The Scholar’s Bundle
A proud scholar arrives at court claiming that he has read every book in the world.
Unlucky Ramaiya
Everyone in the city says that a man called Ramaiya brings bad luck to anyone who sees his face in the morning.
Can I read Tenali Raman stories for free?
Yes. Every story on Pagehush is free to read, with no ads, and you can read on your phone.
Can I listen to Tenali Raman stories?
Yes. Any story on Pagehush can be read aloud in a natural voice.