Special Dish With Tenali Raman

"Mummy, please tell me Tenali Raman's story", my 7-year-old kid Shrian insisted as I was preparing the meal at night.

"Not now Shrian mom is busy", I said as I made a knot to the apron and started cleaning the eggplant while Shrian just followed my steps in the kitchen.

The innocent blue eyes staring at me got my heart melted and I said, "Ok, hear this rhyme zone about Tenali,

Once Tenali Raman went to a drama, Along with his Mama, To watch a play in Vasco-di-GamaWithout wearing a pajama and said I O Rama!!

And we both mother-son duo broke into laughter. I started slicing the onions while Shrian insisted he will give me silent company in the kitchen so took a seat at the kitchen table. But how long can you keep a child's inquisitive locked?

I started slicing the brinjals and cut them in squares, immersed in water when Shrian picked up one and asked, "Mom why do you cook this vegetable I don't like brinjals".

"You will like it Shrian, I will cook it the way Tenali Raman used to have and enjoyed savoring it, so even my son will be as witty as Tenali, isn't it " saying I realized with time all mothers develop the art to persuade their kids."Really mom, is eggplant Tenali's favorite?, Then its even mine" Shrian exclaimed in joy 

To keep Shrian engaged in talks I decided to tell him a story as I continued chopping onions and tomatoes for a curry. 

Me: Ok Shrian I will tell you the story of Tenali and Brinjal curry if you sit quietly and not disturb momma in cooking.

 Shrian: Yes, momma agreed.

Me: Once on the occasion of Krishnadevya Raja's birthday all priests and guests were treated to a scrumptious meal. Tenali Raman when returned to his home couldn't stop praising the Brinjal curry to his wife, "The seedless brinjal curry was the most appetizing and I had never tasted something so good in life".The wife couldn't believe it and said "Dear, the brinjals are not seedless it must be something else". But Tenali informed they are indeed seedless, this plant was gifted to Raja by one of his majesty friends and specially grown only in the Royal Kitchen-garden. The wife couldn't hold her curiosity and Tenali's appraisal for the dish and insisted to get her these seedless brinjals. Tenali tried to coax her wife that there's high security and it's not possible but his wife remained stubborn and argued with Tenali for her wish to be granted.

Finally, Tenali wrapped himself in a dark saree and amidst the night darkness robbed the Brinjals from the Royal Garden and brought for his wife. His then happy wife immediately prepared a thick gravy and served both. "It is indeed very delicious, Tenali. Please wake up our son to enjoy this once in a lifetime meal " Tenali's wife suggested.No, he's a child, he will tell the truth to everyone and I will be caught for stealing them, Tenali remarked his wife who was just not in the mood to listen. Tenali took a bowl of water, sprinkled some water on his son sleeping in the open courtyard, and said, "Dear Son, it's raining please come inside, have food then sleep".

The next day there was chaos in Krishnadevya's mansion and the news was spread about the stolen Brinjals. One of the jealous ministers informed Raja that it must be Tenali because he was enquiring the cooks about the special brinjal and knew it was grown especially in the Royal kitchen. Let's summon his kid and ask because kids won't lie.

That afternoon Tenali's son was called in the Royal mansion when Raja enquired, "Dear Son, What you had for dinner last night".The son said I enjoyed a very delicious Brinjal curry, my lord. Tenali interrupted and said, your majesty, my son was half asleep when he had dinner, how can you believe a child saying the truth when he was in an asleep state.

The son immediately agreed and said, yes my lord my Dad woke me up for dinner when it was raining yesterday night. Everyone in the court went silent because everyone knew it was not raining last night. After the court was suspended, Krishnadevya told Tenali I wonder who took the Brinjal?. Tenali took a promise from the Raja that he will forgive the culprit if he will disclose the name. Raja agreed and Tenali told the whole story.

Krishnadevya laughed and awarded Tenali with the prize kept for the culprit to be identified.

And this is how once again Tenali's wit impressed the Raja and he was awarded, I concluded the story and garnished the Eggplant dish ready to be served.(Shrian smiles as he is ready to savor the special brinjal dish)