THE DOG’S TAIL

 

 

Once in the court of King Krishnadev Rai, a debate was going on, if  a man’s nature could be changed or not. Some of the courtiers were of the view that it was possible, while others thought that just as a dog’s tail cannot be made straight, in the same way, it is impossible to change a man’s nature.

One of the courtiers who was speaking in favour of the topic was of the opinion, “I feel if one tries, the dog’s tail can be straightened.” The King said jokingly, “All right, you are welcome to make an attempt.” The King selected ten people and Tenalirama was one of them. Each of them was given one pup. And to do this task, they were also given ten gold coins each month for a period of six months.

 

 

Each of them put in their best to straighten the tails of their puppies. One of them kept the tail pressed under a heavy weight to straighten it. Another one, pushed the tail into a straight brass pipe for six months.

The third person massaged his pup’s tail everyday to set it straight. The fourth one gave some medicine to his puppy to make its tail straight. The fifth person engaged a Brahmin to perform ‘puja’ everyday to achieve the purpose. The sixth one bought a Tantrik, who with the help of some magic charm tried to straighten the puppy’s tail. The seventh person got his puppy’s tail operated by a doctor. The eighth person made his pup sit straight daily for six months, giving him the advise, “Keep your tail straight, Brother, Keep it erect.” The ninth person kept on feeling sweets to his puppy, thinking that it might straighten its tail.

But Tenalirama fed the puppy with only as much food as was essential to keep it alive. Being starved for six months, his puppy became very weak. Its tail almost dropped down , looking absolutely lifeless. In this condition, it almost looked straight.

 

 

 

 

When six months were over, the king ordered for ten puppies to be produced in the court. Nine of the puppies, looked very strong and healthy. When the weight kept on the first puppy’s tail was removed, it swung back to its curved position. As soon as the second puppy’s tail was pulled out of the pipe, it got back to its original form. Similarly, tails of  other seven puppies remained curved as before. No remedy had worked.

 

 

 

 

 

 
Now the King asked Tenalirama, “Where is your puppy?” Tenalirama presented his puppy. It was looking very weak and lifeless. Its tail was limping down.

Tenalirama said, My Lord! See, I have straightened its tail. “You rascal!” the King shouted at him, “You have almost starved it to death. He can’t even wag his tail.”

Tenalirama replied politely, “Your Highness! If you had said, he should be fed properly, I would have obeyed your order. But your command was to straighten its tail, which is against nature. This could only be done, by keeping it hungry.”

“My Lord! A man’s nature cannot be changed forcibly. One should not do anything against Nature. this can be very dangerous.”

All the courtiers had got the suitable answer to their question. The King praised Tenalirama for his intelligence and wit.