Once upon a time
Tenali Rama and the Horse Tail
Tenali Rama · retold for families
About 3 min read aloud · For grown-ups and children together
A groom clipped a royal horse’s tail to sell the hair. The king fumed. “Find my tail or find a new head,” he said to Tenali.
Tenali asked every barber in the city to save one day’s clippings. He glued black strands into a fine switch and presented it.
“This tail grew while we searched,” he declared. The king knew it was craft, yet admired the wit.
The real groom confessed, returned the hair, and swept stables for a month.
Tenali bowed. “Truth and tricks both serve when justice is the goal.”
Classic tale retold by IRA Creations for screen-free bedtime. After the story, try a quiet craft — our painting kits or free colouring sheets.