Global Hindu Heritage Foundation’s Bala Samskar Kendra students learn about the richness of Hindu Dharma, sacrifices of national heroes, moral stories and benefits of yoga and meditation. To accomplish this goal, we felt that it is the utmost of the hour to teach about our culture, traditions, mantras, rituals, morals, and our national heroes. This week, our teachers talked about Tenali Ramalinga’s intelligence in catching the thieves.
Once a terrible drought struck the Vijayanagar kingdom. The rain did not start at all. Due to this, the wells and pumps turned dry. The pumps and wells dried up where they were always filled with water. Tenali Ramalinga’s house is on the banks of Tungabhadra River. Even in his house well water almost depleted inside. Due to this it became very difficult to break the drought. To drink water, to bathe, to cook, water was not enough.  But who watered the garden in the valley? Ramalinga sat thinking about whether he should plant such flowers in the garden. The plants are drying up just by looking at them. There are blue balls in the water from somewhere. To fill the garden with water, many coolies will have to be hired. Give money to those who bid. While Ramalinga was thinking like this, three men were standing a short distance from his house. Seemed to be talking. Who are they? Saying this, I forgot my thoughts for a while, I forgot my thoughts, I saw them Looking at Ramalinga's house, Ramalinga also noticed him talking about something.
'If you look at them, they look like thieves. If you look at their sky, tonight they are looking they might do something. our house.  Immediately he called his son and said, "Father, this year the rains have not been properly dry. Cruel conditions have prevailed. Many people could not find something to eat or work to do. They are committing thefts. As a result, the number of thieves in this kingdom increased. So let us put all the coins and money in the house in a box and take that box and throw it into the well.  If that happens then the thieves will not have any suspicion. Moreover, even when they come, they will find nothing in our house,” he said.
Tenali Ramalinga uttered these words loudly. He said a little harshly to convey his words to the thieves. Whatever Ramalinga thought, that's what happened. The thieves heard whatever Ramalinga said. Then, they put all the gold coins, silver items or any other valuable items in a box and threw it in the well. They brought everything and put it in a box in the trunk and threw it in the well. The thieves saw all this. As expected, the night came, and all three thieves came to Ramalinga's house.  Everyone carefully entered the well. As soon as we got into the well, they saw the box. The thieves thought that they could take it and run away.
But the well is full of all the filth and dirt. The pitch is full of plants and resins. Therefore, first the sewer had to be cleaned. The weeds and small resins growing in the well are all removed. Even then the box containing the jewelry was not seen. 
One thief said what do we do now?  The remaining two asked for a coin.
 Another thief expressed his doubt saying did they really put the box in the well. 
Another said we all saw them put the box in the well. Let's take the box and throw it in the well!
Others agreed and accepted.
"But why are we while away my time with such confusions and discussions. Surely, we will find a jewel box. If we keep wasting our time with such statements, we will get bored. One of them said "The boxes are very heavy. Because of this the box will go to the bottom. Therefore, should draw the water and put it out until we find the box.  Tenali Ramalinga used that water to the plants who were without water due to drought. 
Three thieves came out of the well and started pulling the water from the well.   The thieves kept pulling the water for a long time. At last, their hard work bore fruit. One of the thieves descended into the well and tied a rope to the box. The remaining thieves took both the boxes carefully.  In this hurry, anxious to pull the box from the well, they did not realize the time. Didn't even notice the situation. In the meanwhile, Tenali Ramalinga brought a few people from the kingdom and arrested them. That's it! They caught the thieves.
Look kids! How Tenali Ramalinga was intelligent? We too can change problems in our favor by using our intelligence and wisdom.
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