Well Kalidas became brilliant after he got blessed by Kali Mata.
Many times in our Puranas we read that some less intelligent person became intelligent after meeting with a sage etc..after all Hastamalaka was thought to be less intelligent and only after he met Adi Shankara he was found to be misunderstood and he was actually very intelligent.
So I guess everyone needs someone to propel them to develop their intellect..after all isnt that what Gayatri Mantra is all about "Dhiyo Yo Nah Prachodayat"?