The Most Unusual Horse Race

In the early hours of one full moon night, king Krishnadevaraya was travelling in the city in old man disguise to see how people were living. By Sunrise, he had completed his trip and sat under the village tree where people gather in the evenings.

After few minutes, he saw two youngsters riding horses, and thought of having some fun; so, he signalled them to approach him.

Holding few golden coins, he said, "Gentlemen, I would like you to race to that temple over there, which is about three kilometres from here and I will give all these golden coins to the one whose horse comes in last."

"Whose horse comes in last!" both of them exclaimed at once.

"Exactly so. I realise that it is an unusual condition, but that is what I said. Now start."

Desirous of money, both of them started toward the temple, but since each of them was trying to hold his horse back, they made very little progress. When they were almost ready to give up the race, Prime Minister Timmarusu appeared unexpectedly in front of them, who was disguised as an old man. The youngsters did not recognise him, as with the king. Seeing the old man, they jumped off their horses, and bowed before him, hoping to get a solution.

"What is the trouble, my sons?" Timmarusu asked in a low voice, and they explained to him the condition of the race.

"Maybe we should decide between ourselves that he who wins the race by having his horse come last, will give half of his winnings to the other," one suggested.

"Oh, no!" said Timmarusu. "One should be honest in all deals. But there is one thing that you can do." and he whispered his advice to them.

"God bless you!" exclaimed the youngsters, jumping onto the saddle and putting their spurs to the horses' sides.

They galloped to the temple faster than the wind. The race was decided in a matter of few minutes and Krishnadevaraya had to pay all those gold coins to the winner.

What did Timmarusu say?

Answer to the Puzzle

It is very simple indeed: he advised them to exchange horses.

Got it?

If rider A comes first, rider B's horse comes first. Meaning, rider A horse wins. And vice-versa.

Krishnadevaraya condition is "Whose horse comes in last!" NOT "Who comes in last!".

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