Born and educated in Bogotá, Téllez entered very early the world of journalism, with which he is primarily identified, having been on the staff of some of Colombia's most popular newspapers and magazines.
It was not until 1950 with the publication of his short story collection Cenizas para el viento (Ashes for the Wind), that his name became more widely known.
His tragicomic tales evidence his keen and extremely sensitive observations of contemporary life and, more particularly, the anguishing reality of his native country.
During Téllez's lifetime, Colombia suffered through several civil wars and military dictatorships, collectively called La Violencia ("The Violence").
The story is widely read by American high school students learning Spanish, and depicts the inner conflict of a barber and secret rebel spy who is shaving the captain of a military unit which has tracked and executed members of a local resistance organization.