But Tenali stepped forward. “Your Majesty, mercy is like water in a mud pot—plain on the outside, but precious within. Let him stay. But let him serve one week as a street sweeper. Let him learn that all work is sacred, and all people deserve respect.”
Dīpaka’s face reddened. “What would a village jester know of art? You carry mud pots while I design for kings!”
Tenali smiled. “It is beautiful, Your Majesty. But beauty without truth is like a gilded cage—pretty to see, but empty inside.” tenali rama ep 184
“I don’t know,” Raman said. “But I have a riddle for the court. What is it that loses all its value the moment you give it away?”
“I decorated palaces,” he whispered, “but I never learned to decorate my own heart.” But Tenali stepped forward
“Raman,” the King teased, “look at Dīpaka’s art. What do you think?”
At court, Dīpaka was presenting a golden peacock sculpture. “See, Majesty? This is real talent, not riddles and rhymes.” But let him serve one week as a street sweeper
The King was pleased. But then he saw Tenali Raman walk in, barefoot, carrying nothing but a small clay pot.