Naino and the Hidden Meat – A Childhood Tale from Old Hunza
A true story from my grandmother's childhood, retold for young readers.
🌾 Life in Old Hunza
Long ago, in the beautiful valleys of Hunza, where tall mountains touch the sky and rivers sparkle under the sun, people lived a very simple life. Food was scarce, and every grain was precious.
Those were times when there were no markets full of food like we have today. People depended on what they grew in their fields. Wheat was their main crop — it was harvested once a year and stored carefully for the whole season.
My grandmother used to say that they had a special word for wheat in their language — “Dishaki.” It meant the main food grain that everyone relied on for making bread.
There was also a special measuring bowl used to make one big piece of bread for men called “tie bread.” It was thick and heavy, meant to give them energy for hard fieldwork. Women often ate thinner bread made from wheat, maize, or barley because they saved the better portions for their families.
Life was tough, but people were kind, hardworking, and always found ways to laugh and share.
👧 My Grandmother and Her Friend Naino
Among the many memories my grandmother shared, one story always made everyone laugh — the story of her childhood friend and cousin, Naino.
Naino was unlike most girls of her time. She was brave, outspoken, and never afraid to ask for her rights. In those old days, people in Hunza believed that women should stay quiet and not speak up for themselves. But Naino was different. She questioned those ideas and always stood for fairness.
She would often say,
“If something is right, why should I feel shy to say it?”
Everyone in the village knew Naino for her boldness, honesty, and big appetite! She loved food, especially traditional Hunza dishes cooked with wheat, butter, and meat.
❄️ The Winter Tradition – Nasalo
Winter in Hunza was harsh and cold. The mountains would be covered with snow, and icy winds blew across the valley. To survive the freezing season, families prepared for a special winter event called “Nasalo."
During Nasalo, people slaughtered animals like goats or sheep and preserved the meat to cook in traditional dishes throughout winter. The delicious smell of meat cooking in big stone pots called “Balosh” would spread through the air — and everyone would know that Nasalo time had begun!
🍲 The Smell of Meat
One cold December afternoon, Naino was playing outside near her home when she smelled something mouthwatering. The rich aroma of Nasalo meat drifted from a neighbor’s house.
Naino’s nose twitched — she knew exactly what it was!
She smiled mischievously and said to herself,
“Someone is cooking Nasalo meat. I must go and see!”
Without thinking twice, she walked straight toward the house where the smell was coming from.
🙈 The Neighbors’ Trick
Now, the neighbors knew Naino very well. They knew she never hesitated to ask for food if she smelled something tasty!
When they saw her coming from far away, they quickly whispered,
“Oh no! Naino is coming again! She’ll eat all our Nasalo meat!”
They hurriedly took the hot stone pot, the Balosh, and hid it inside the “Aru Got” — the traditional storage room attached to the main house where people kept food and tools in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Then they wiped the stove clean so there would be no sign of meat cooking.
👃 Naino’s Clever Move
As soon as Naino entered, she sniffed around like a little detective.
“Hmm… I can still smell meat,” she said.
The neighbors laughed nervously and replied,
“Oh, Naino, you naughty girl! There’s no meat here. You must be smelling wrong.”
But Naino wasn’t fooled. She looked around carefully, her sharp eyes scanning every corner. Then suddenly, she smiled.
Without saying a word, she walked straight to the Aru Got — as if her heart told her where the food was hidden.
🍖 “Ye Da Walegis Chap Thegesyt!”
Inside the Aru Got, she found the big Balosh pot, still warm from cooking. Holding it firmly by its two handles, she lifted it out and shouted in her local language:
“Ye da walegis chap thegesyt!”
(“See! I brought it out — you had hidden it here!”)
Everyone burst into laughter. Naino, with her fearless spirit, had caught them red-handed!
She sat down happily, served herself some of the meat, and began to eat joyfully while the neighbors watched, half-laughing, half-surprised.
❤️ A Lesson from Naino
Even though this story is funny and simple, my grandmother always said it had a deeper meaning.
Naino wasn’t just a hungry little girl — she represented courage, honesty, and equality. She never felt shy to speak the truth or ask for what was fair.
At a time when women were expected to stay silent, she showed that it’s okay to stand up for yourself, whether it’s for your rights or even a plate of meat!
🌟 Moral of the Story
Be brave, be honest, and never feel shy to speak up for what’s right — even if others don’t understand you.
Like Naino, believe in yourself, stay cheerful, and face the world with courage and a smile.
🏔️ Cultural Note:
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Dishaki: Wheat harvested once a year and stored for bread.
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Balosh: Traditional stone pot used for cooking in Gilgit-Baltistan.
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Aru Got: A storage room attached to traditional houses in the region.
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Nasalo: Winter tradition of slaughtering animals and cooking meat dishes to survive the cold season.
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