The matchless wits

the long version

"Gopal Bhand was a clever barber who with his wit and intelligence often rescued his patro, King Krishnachandra of Krishanagar, Bengal, from sticky situations. Accepting challenges was second nature to him, be it a royal directive to count the stars or an appeal from the village boys to get free sweets from the local shop. -- According to legend, Raman of Tenali was blessed with the double boon of wit and wealth by the Goddess Kali herself. A Telugu poet, he became a jester at the court of King Krishnadevaraya of Vijayananagara. A place where he used one boon to win the other."