Khacharo the Stubborn Boy – Part 3: The Uncle, Aunt, and the Pumpkin Disaster
The Uncle and Aunt’s Sneaky Plan
Khacharo, the stubborn boy, continued his journey with his uncle and aunt. After the earlier incident where Khacharo accidentally caused his uncle to lose a tooth, the uncle and aunt were plotting again.
“Tonight,” whispered the uncle, “we’ll sleep on the edge of a steep hill. We’ll put Khacharo on the outer edge. When he falls asleep, wake me, and I’ll kick him down. Then we’ll finally be free.”
But Khacharo was no ordinary boy. He carefully listened to their plan while pretending to be busy moving forward with the donkey.
Khacharo Outsmarts the Adults
That night, they rested on a steep hillside as planned. They arranged themselves: Khacharo on the edge, the uncle next, and the aunt after him.
Khacharo stayed awake and, when the adults fell into deep sleep, quietly switched places with his aunt.
At midnight, he mimicked his aunt’s voice and woke the uncle. The uncle kicked, expecting to send Khacharo down the hill—but instead, only air met his feet.
The sound of a body hitting rocks echoed: “Boom! Boom! Boom!”
Khacharo laughed triumphantly: “Soo beges naa, mamo fapee jo!” — “At last, we got rid of aunt, right uncle?”
A Rich Girl and the King’s Request
After his victory, Khacharo guided his uncle to a wealthy family’s home. He declared, “I am here on behalf of the king. Your daughter has been chosen for marriage.”
The family, surprised, said, “A king? We are ordinary people! How can our daughter marry a king?”
Khacharo insisted, “The king has chosen your daughter. When he visits, prepare only Shikar Kuliai Chamic and Daturai Mul—the dishes that can cause dehydration and loose motion. He will also sleep in the Aru Got, a traditional Gilgit-Baltistan room with no washroom.”
Eventually, the family agreed, and Khacharo returned to his uncle with the news.
The Uncle’s Midnight Disaster
That night, the uncle, dressed as a king, slept in the Aru Got. Soon, his stomach betrayed him.
“Khacharo! I have loose motion! What do I do? I can’t go out; everyone is asleep in the living area!”
Khacharo advised him to find a pot by touch. The uncle found an old pumpkin, traditionally used as a container, and relieved himself.
In his nervousness, while trying to dispose of it, he slipped. The pumpkin fell into the living area, splattering everyone awake.
Humiliated, the uncle could not bear the shame and ran away, leaping down the hill.
Moral of the Story
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Cleverness and vigilance can outsmart even the most cunning adults.
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Sometimes, stubbornness can be a form of courage and wit.
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Traditional tales from Gilgit-Baltistan teach life lessons with humor and culture.
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