Tenali Rama Story: Bragging Soldiers Around The Campfire

Tenali Rama Story: Bragging Soldiers Around The Campfire

He humbled the boastful soldiers with a daring story of his own and his wits.

Reviewed by Ulka Parab, MA, Diploma in Early Childhood Education Specialty: EducationExperience: 7+ years

Ulka Parab is a versatile educator with more than seven years of experience in teaching. She holds a master's degree in Education from the University of Mumbai and a Level 5 certification in ESL instruction from The TEFL Academy, U.K. Ulka works as a primary teacher at CP Goenka International School, Mumbai, and is well-versed in designing learning experiences for classes KG to 3.

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Written by Harshita Makvana, B.Com, PG Dip Specialty: Child Education, Storytelling, Activities and LearningExperience: 7 years

Harshita is a graduate in commerce and holds a PG Diploma in Patent and Copyrights Law from NALSAR University. She has also pursued CA and has more than three years of internship experience in auditing. Her love for travelling has taken her to various parts of the world, and writing the travelogues was what brought out her love for content writing.

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Edited by Deepa Thomas, MA (English) Specialty: Child Education, Development, Activities And FunExperience: 3 years

Deepa Rachel Thomas holds a master’s degree in English from the English and Foreign Languages University, Hyderabad. She has done a certification course in Child Development and worked as a mentor for young children at an NGO that focuses on helping children develop their language and soft skills.

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Last Updated on Sep 25, 2024

In This Article

One day, on his return journey to Vijayanagara, Tenali Rama spotted a group of people sitting around a campfire and talking. He wanted to rest for the night, and so, sat comfortably near the fire.

After some time, Rama realized that the men were war veterans. They were narrating tales of their bravery. One soldier described how he single-handedly killed ten rival soldiers; another told the group how he kept an entire enemy regiment at bay during a battle. This boasting continued until their stories got exhausted.

Just then, a retired soldier turned towards Rama and said, “I do not think you would have any such adventurous tales to narrate?”

Rama replied, “Ah!, But I do have one.” Everyone was surprised and remarked sarcastically, “You have one?”

“Yes,” replied Rama. He continued, “Once, when I was traveling, I happened to spot an unusually large tent. Out of curiosity, I cautiously stepped in and found the largest man on earth lying on the mat. I recognized him as the dangerous dacoit who had been terrorizing that part of the country for decades.”

“What did you do then?” Asked the soldiers who were anxious to know what happened next.

To this, Rama replied, “I took out my sword, cut off his toe, and ran for my dear life.”

“Just the toe?” Sneered one of the soldiers. “If I were you, I would have cut his head.” another soldier remarked.

Rama smiled and said, “Someone already did that; his head was lying next to his body.”

Moral of the story

We might have done great things in life, but we should not underestimate others.

Key Pointers

Tenali Rama’s stories often depict men who are boastful for the sake of it.
Tenali Rama uses wit and humor to outsmart and teach them lessons in humility.
The story teaches us never to underestimate anyone despite our achievements.

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Tenali Rama’s stories are rich with meanings and morals. Watch this video for an animated Tenali Rama and The Weight Lifter tale.

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Reviewer Author Editor

Ulka ParabMA, Diploma in Early Childhood Education

Harshita MakvanaB.Com, PG Dip

Deepa ThomasMA (English)