Goldsmith as Cook

King Krishnadeva Raya was a great patron of talent. If he found anyone who was a great artist in any field, he would invite him to the court and reward him. Once, he found Achyuta Rao, a painter of great merit.
The King invited him to the court to paint his portrait. And what a fine portrait the artist painted! The King was very impressed. “Some extraordinary reward must be given to this man,” he thought. So he made him the Chief Minister.


Now Achyuta Rao was a great painter, but he knew nothing about how to run the administration of the kingdom. He created a complete muddle in the affairs of the state. The other ministers and the subjects were all equally fed up and miserable. But how could they say or do anything against the King’s favourite? So, as usual, they turned to Tenali Raman for help.
A few days later, Tenali Raman invited the King and the court to his house for a feast. The King came with the Queen and his entourage. The meal looked very appetizing. It had been cooked by one of the greatest goldsmiths in town. The goldsmith was also there to help serve the food.


The feast began with great pomp and ceremony, but faces began to change as the guests ate. The food was perfectly awful! There was too much salt and too much spice in everything. The King felt terribly insulted. Rising in a rage, he shouted, “What is the meaning of this, Tenali Raman? You call this a feast? Did you invite us to insult us?”
“No, Sir! Is the food bad? I thought I would follow your example!” said Tenali Raman meekly.
“My example? What nonsense!” said the furious King.
“Sir, when I saw a great painter rewarded by you and made the Chief Minster, I decided to reward this excellent goldsmith in my own humble way. He made beautiful jewellery for my wife, so I made him the Chief Chef in my household,” explained Tenali Raman.


The King had his faults, but he was no fool. He realized what Tenali Raman was up to. “You, Tenali Raman, will one day go too far and I shall punish you!” said the King with a twinkle in his eye. “All right; I have understood what you wish to say. The painter shall paint pictures only. And for God’s sake, never make this poor man cook. Let him stick to his trade.” Laughing the King returned to the palace and the courtiers followed after thanking Tenali Raman.

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