Table of contents |
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Introduction |
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Key Points of the Story |
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Detailed Summary |
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Theme/ Message |
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Difficult Words |
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Introduction
In the heart of South India once stood a mighty empire—Vijayanagara—renowned for its splendor, strength, and unmatched cultural richness. At its helm was Krishnadeva Raya, a legendary ruler whose reign is celebrated as the Golden Era of the empire. Among his court’s brightest stars was the witty and wise Tenali Ramakrishna, whose cleverness won hearts and solved problems that even kings couldn’t untangle.
This story brings to life a heartwarming episode from Krishnadeva Raya’s court—where a simple yawn, a misunderstood poem, and a clever plan weave together to teach timeless lessons about communication, pride, and the power of wit.
Key Points of the Story
The Vijayanagara Empire was a grand kingdom famous for its wealth, art, and culture. King Krishnadeva Raya, who ruled from 1509 to 1529, was a wise and kind leader. His time as king was called the Golden Era because the empire grew in art, literature, and architecture during this time.
Krishnadeva Raya was a strong fighter and a talented poet. He wrote famous works like Amuktamalyada and Jambavati Parinayam. He loved learning and supported eight great poets in his court, called the Ashtadiggajas. Two of them were Allasani Peddana and Tenali Ramakrishna. Tenali was special because he was not only a poet but also very clever and funny. He solved tough problems with his smart ideas, making him a favorite in the kingdom.
One day, the king got upset with his queen, Thirumalambal, over a small issue. He wrote a poem about the sun, moon, and stars, but it was hard to understand. When he shared it with his ministers, they made excuses to avoid him. Later, he recited it to the queen, but she was tired and yawned several times. The king thought she was being rude, got angry, and stopped talking to her or visiting her. The palace became quiet and sad.
The queen was very upset and tried to fix things, but nothing worked. So, she asked Tenali Ramakrishna for help. She explained how the king got mad because she yawned during his poem. Tenali listened carefully and promised to try his best, but said he needed time to plan.
The next day, the royal court was busy with ministers and scholars talking about how to grow better crops. The king was still upset, and everyone could feel the tension. Ministers suggested ideas like better water systems or manure. Tenali stood quietly, smiling, until the king called him.
Tenali walked to the throne with a plate of paddy seeds and said, “Your Majesty, these seeds can give three times more crops!” The court whispered and laughed. Some made fun, saying the seeds must be magical or from the moon. The king thought it sounded silly and said growing such crops would need special soil and protection from pests.
Tenali stayed calm and said the problem wasn’t the seeds but the person planting them. He explained that if someone yawns while planting, the seeds would scatter badly. The court burst into laughter, and even the king yawned without thinking. Tenali added, “Everyone yawns, Your Majesty. It’s as normal as breathing.”
The king realized he had been unfair to the queen. He remembered how he got mad when she yawned during his poem. Feeling sorry, he went to her that evening and said, “Thirumalambal, I was wrong to get angry. My pride got in the way. I’m sorry.” The queen smiled and said she wanted to hear his poem and move on.
Thanks to Tenali’s clever plan, the king and queen made up. They gave him valuable gifts for his help. The palace became happy again, filled with joy and laughter.
Theme/ Message
Difficult Words
1. What is the main theme of "The Wit that Won Hearts"? | ![]() |
2. Who is the central character in the story, and what traits make them stand out? | ![]() |
3. How does the author use humor to convey messages in the story? | ![]() |
4. What impact does the character's wit have on the other characters in the story? | ![]() |
5. Are there any difficult words in the story, and what do they mean? | ![]() |