One day, a few renowned scholars arrived at the king's durbar for a debate. Tenali Raman found a way to go inside without an invitation. He found a seat among the audience. The topic of the debate was "illusion".

 

As the debate progressed, a philosopher from North India said, "Everything around us is an illusion. What we experience; happiness, sadness and joy is all maya. We are the ones who ponder over it and dwell on it and let it affect us. Nothing is real. Our thoughts makes everything appear real."

 

The scholars in the room gave a huge applause. They shouted out, "What a brilliant philosopher! Amazing!"

 

King Krishnadevaraya looked around to see if anyone in his kingdom could counter this argument or even pose a challenge to the philosopher. But no one stood up. He felt dejected that no one in his assembly had the wisdom or wit to match the philosopher.

 

Suddenly Tenali Raman stood up from the crowd and said, "Dear friends! This scholar says that it is our thought that causes happiness and sadness! It is time to have lunch now. Let the rest of us head to the feast. The scholar can fill his stomach by merely thinking about food!"

 

The scholar was baffled by these words. He did not know how to argue it. The king was extremely pleased with Tenali Raman's wit. He showered him with gifts and gold coins.

 

Tenali Raman was not invited to speak. He wasn't even invited to view the debate. But he found a way to go in. He took a risk to speak up. The philosopher may have found a way to counter his statement which may have made Tenali Raman look like a fool. Or, the people might have laughed him off.

 

But Tenali Raman did not think about the consequences. He took a risk and the risk paid off.

 

In life, we will face tough situations. Each situation is an opportunity. If we take a risk, we will put ourselves in the best position to progress. Instead, if we worry about the consequences and not take any action, we will become stagnant.

 

Tenali Raman took a risk. And it paid off.