Once while travelling, Tenali Rama found himself in the company of a group of soldiers.<>
They were all veterans of war and soon they got to talking about their experiences on the battlefield.<>
One old soldier told of the time he had single-handedly slain seven enemy soldiers.<>
Another gave a detailed description of the manner in which he had held an entire enemy battalion at bay. When they had finished they looked condescendingly at Rama.<>
“I don’t suppose you have any adventure worth telling,” said one of the grizzled warriors.<>
“Oh, but I have,” said Rama<>
“You have?!” said the soldiers.<>
“Yes,” said Rama. “Once while travelling I chanced upon a large tent. I entered and there, lying on a mat was the largest man I had ever seen.<>
I recognised him at once as a dreaded dacoit who had been terrorising that part of the country for years!”<>
“What did you do?” asked the soldiers, their interest now fully aroused.<>
“I cut off his toe and ran for dear life,” said Rama.<>
“His toe?” said a soldier.<>
“Why toe? You should have cut off his head while you had the chance!”<>
“Somebody had already done that,” said Rama, grinning.<>
