Once, an Arab horse trader approached the king with a collection of impressive-looking horses. The king decided to buy all the horses. The trader asked for two days’ time and an advance on the payment. The king also obliged.

A week passed and there was no news from the trader. Meanwhile, the king saw Tenali write a list of the biggest fools on land. The king was shocked to see his own name on top of the list.

Tenali explained that a person who believed a complete stranger and obliged to all their demands was the biggest fool. The king asked what would happen if the merchant gave back the money or the horses. Tenali immediately replied that he would replace the king’s name with that of the merchant’s on the list.

The king understood his stupidity and accepted the same to Tenali.

Moral – Never blindly trust someone you know nothing about.