Tenali Rama and the Mystery of the Red Peacock

The empire of Vijayanagara was famous for its glorious culture and King Krishnadevaraya's love for art. The King had a great passion for collecting rare and extraordinary things. One day, a courtier named Chatur Pandit, who was always jealous of Tenali Rama's popularity, arrived in court with a large cage. The cage was covered with a velvet cloth. With great pomp, he removed the cloth, and the entire court was stunned with surprise. Inside the cage was an extremely beautiful and rare 'red peacock'. Its feathers were a brilliant, fiery red. Chatur Pandit claimed that he had caught this peacock with great difficulty from a secret and remote valley in the Himalayas. In exchange for this peacock, he demanded five thousand gold coins. The King was so mesmerized by the beauty of the peacock that he immediately ordered the treasurer to give the gold coins. However, Tenali Rama's attention was drawn to something else. He noticed a faint smell of oil and paint coming from the peacock. Also, the peacock looked very restless and sickly. Tenali requested the King, 'Maharaj, give me two weeks' time, and I will find ten more such peacocks for you.' The King agreed. During this time, with the help of spies, Tenali searched for the best painters in the city. He learned that one painter had recently purchased a large quantity of red dye. Tenali tracked down that painter and found out the truth. Chatur Pandit had threatened him and forced him to paint ordinary peacocks with red color. After two weeks, Tenali brought the painter and buckets of water to the court. In front of everyone, he poured water on the red peacock. Gradually, the red color washed away, and everyone saw an ordinary green peacock. Chatur Pandit's deceit was exposed. The King punished him severely and praised Tenali Rama's sharp intelligence.