An old woman once set out to visit her daughter.
On the forest path, she met a tiger, a bear, and a wolf — each ready to eat her.
But the woman was clever.
“Let me first eat at my daughter’s home,” she said. “On my return, I’ll be plump and tastier.”
The animals agreed, and she went on.
After many days, the old woman grew well-fed.
To keep her safe, her daughter carved a hollow pumpkin, placed her mother inside, and rolled it down the hill, singing, “Chal re bhoplya, tunuk tunuk!”
On the way back, the pumpkin met the waiting animals.
“Have you seen the old woman?” they asked.
From inside, she changed her voice: “No, I haven’t.”
Fooled, they let the pumpkin roll on.
The tiger and wolf, suspicious, fought each other over who would get her first.
Meanwhile, the pumpkin rolled safely into the village.
The old woman climbed out — cleverness her shield, wit her victory.