The Golden Mango

Raja Krishna Deva Raya was a great king of Vijayanagara .One day Raja Krishna Deva Raya paced the corridors of his palace pensively and restlessly .Time and again, he went in and sat besides his ailing mother in a hope that she would open her eyes and register his presence .As she had been ill for some time and was totally bedridden. But there was no response from the frail mother.

One morning, however she summoned Raja Krishna Deva Raya. The very anxious Raja at once hurried to her bedroom. The attendant withdrew leaving mother and son alone. The Raja Prostrated at her feet. Then smoothing her silken quilt and running his finger in tousled hair he bent over her face and whispered " Parnam Amma what is troubling so much?"

Sighing and clearing the throat, the Rajmata barely open her eyes   and spoke faintly "Son I am at the death's door .However I have one last wish .I wish to relish a mango before I leave this earth.

A mango was all his mother wanted. But summer had just began .It would be a while for the luscious mangoes to hit the market or even hang from the tress like golden balls. The king immediately deployed soldiers to scan through the fields and bring a basket full of best quality of available mangoes. The soldiers plunged into action, galloped on their horses, scoured the grooves, grabbed the mangoes and eventually returned to the royal mansion .But alas! Just before the soldiers could place the basket full of mangoes before their king, the Rajmata breathed her last.

 Raja Krishna Deva Raya was distraught. How on the earth would he feel the satisfaction of having appeased his mother's soul?. Raja then consulted Tatacharya.Tatacharya was one of his most important advisor. Tatacharya creased his forehead and narrowed his eyes. After sufficient thought, he told Raja that" Charity to the needy was a cause very dear to your mother’s heart. Why don't we craft mangoes out of gold and distribute to the poor of our kingdom?" News spread like a wildfire and thousands flocked to collect the golden mangoes given in the memory of the Rajmata. Soon it was not the needy alone but the greedy too who decided to make hay while the sun shines.

Who was to the bell the cat and caution the king about the depleting gold reserve? Who else but Tenali Raman? Once Raman got wind of his situation, he actually went to the scene of distribution. Standing outside a kiosk Raman posted himself a strategic point .He was the final authority to pass through for a beneficiary to collect a golden mango.

To the undeserving candidates who presented themselves before him, Raman explained Raja Krishna Deva Raya has slightly amended the donation process. "Those desirous of golden mangoes should be ready for a blister on their backs!" The real needy mustered courage to face the singeing iron rod. This went on until a man complained to Raja "What is it my lord! A golden mango for the palm and the burning rod for the back!.This is a case of pinching one cheek of a child and giving a peck on the other!"

The innocent Raja looked very puzzled .When he was apprised of the situation, he summoned Raman immediately .Raman's explanation was matter -of -fact."Oh dear king! My mother recently succumbed to a chronic disease .All her life she groaned 'Burn my back with an iron rod, so I don't feel the pain'.

"I am only fulfilling my mother's wish now."

Raja came to his senses and commended gusty Raman for pulling him up cleverly. He rewarded him for his golden move.

Moral of story: Think before you act