Several courtiers were vying to be the Royal Advisor of king Krishnadeva. So one day, when they came to the court, they said to the king, “Each of us wants to be your Royal Advisor.” The king said, “No problem, but you will have to pass the test before you could be my Royal Advisor. And whoever would pass the test will be appointed my Advisor.” They agreed. The king unfastened his waist cloth and lay down on the floor, and asked the candidates to cover him with that cloth from head to toe. Now everybody tried to cover him, but in vain.
Just then, Tenali entered the court. The king asked Tenali also if he could cover him with that cloth from head to toe. Tenali paused a moment and then asked the king politely, “Your Highness, could you pull up your knees a little bit?” The king did so, and Tenali could cover him from head to toe with that cloth. Realizing that they failed the test, the courtiers left the court quietly.
