Once, a magician from North India visited the court of Krishnadevaraya and the King of Vijayanagaram and exhibited several magic tricks. He even showed one special trick in which he separated his own head!
After this the magician challenged the members of the court and asked whether there was anyone in Vijayanagaram Empire to show such magic tricks. But there were none in the court that day to show any magic items. The king was ashamed that his court did not have a magician. Then, suddenly Tenali Raman came forward and bowed before the king and senior members. Further, he challenged the magician.
”I will do one item of magic with closed eyes. But you should do it with open eyes. Can you?”
‘Oh, it is quite simple. This fellow is doing it with closed eyes. I will not have any difficulty in doing it with open eyes!’ the magician thought. He accepted the challenge.
Raman brought a spoonful of chilly powder. He closed his eyes and dropped the chilli powder into his closed eyes. He waited for two to three minutes. Later, he removed all the powder and opened his eyes.
Then, he brought another spoonful of chilly powder and gave it to the magician. He asked him to perform the trick with open eyes.
The magician found himself trapped. He expressed several excuses. But people booed him and made fun of him. The magician, unable to perform the act left the scene hurriedly. The King was extremely happy. He offered Tenali Raman the post of court Jester immediately.
