Sri Lanka is full of folk tales, and Andare, the clever royal jester, is one of the most famous. Known for his wit and quick thinking, Andare always amused the King, Queen, and ministers. His stories are still told in homes and schools across Down South Sri Lanka.
Andare and the Coconut Plants
One day, the King gave land and young coconut plants to all his courtiers. He wanted each courtier to plant and care for the coconuts carefully. An official was appointed to check the plantations and make sure everyone was doing their work. Andare received his own plot of land and several young coconut plants, just like the others.
Everyone planted their coconuts and tended them carefully. After some time, the official inspected all the plantations. Most of the coconut plants were growing strong and healthy. But Andare’s plants looked strange—they had green leaves but seemed dry and weak. The officer could not understand why.
That night, the official decided to visit Andare’s plantation secretly. To his surprise, there were no coconut plants at all! He rushed back to the King the next morning and reported what he had seen.
The King called Andare and asked, “Why are your coconut plants missing at night? What is going on?”
Andare smiled and said,
“Your Majesty, I take the plants home at night. What if someone steals them while everyone sleeps? Then I plant them again in the morning.”
The King and everyone at the court laughed. Andare had once again shown his cleverness. While the other courtiers carefully tended their plantations, Andare had found a smart and funny way to protect his plants.
This story shows why Andare is one of Sri Lanka’s most loved folk heroes. His quick thinking and clever tricks made him famous in the royal court. Today, his tales continue to entertain and teach lessons in Southern Sri Lanka, keeping this part of the country’s culture alive for new generations.
Explore more: Sri Lankan Proverbs and Folk Wisdom | Local Cuisine Tips | Cultural Etiquette in Galle
External reference: Andare – Sri Lankan Folk Hero