A Novel Mode of Painting
The Rayar built a storied house in beautiful style. He than sent for a painter and ordered him to prepare suitable pictures for the mansion. After finishing his work, the painter intimated the fact to the Rayar. The Rayar proceeded to that house accompanied by his ministers and others, and as he was going through the several parts of that house admiring the work all along, Tennalirama noticed a picture which was painted sideways. And he asked “Great King! This picture displays the limbs of only one side. Where are those of the other side?” To this the Rayar said: “You must imagine it all. Don’t you know this?” And as he said so, he laughed. “Yes, I understand it now” said Tennalirama in apparent sincerity. Some time after Tennalirama said to the Rayar one day: “From the day we visited your new mansion, I have been practising painting. I have become an expert in it now. You must witness my beautiful execution now.” “Indeed!” said the Rayar; and as the paintings in his palace had become old, he added: “You can then rub away all these old paintings and execute new ones in their places.” He then gave him betel leaf and nuts for the work, vacated that house, and removed to another building. Tennalirama then rubbed away all the beautiful original paintings. He painted a nail in one place, a finger in another place, a hand in a third; thus, in his own way he filled the whole house with his daubs and spoiled its look utterly. He then went to the Rayar and said: “I have finished all my paintings. You must kindly favour me with a visit.” The Rayar taking it to be true, entered the building accompanied by several people. On seeing the pictures he said: “What! Tennalirama! I see only odd limbs and fragments.” Tennalirama said: “You must imagine all the other portions to exist on the other side. What! have you forgotten that obvious thing?” The Rayar exclaimed “O! I have been deceived. You have spoiled the whole building.” He was at the same time much ashamed and returned to his palace in anger.