Naino and the Royal Play Fight – A Childhood Tale from Old Hunza

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A Glimpse Into Old Hunza’s Childhood Games

Long ago, in the rugged beauty of Hunza Valley, life moved to the rhythm of traditions, seasons, and stories that passed from one generation to another. During those times, Hunza followed a kingship system. The king would often ride out with his two bodyguards—one walking on each side—to observe village matters, meet the people, and watch cultural sports.

A village king in old Hunza walking with two child guards among stone houses.


Among the most popular traditional games of the region was Bulla, the local form of hockey. Children and adults alike played it using handmade wooden sticks called finchi, while a small wooden ball called tharii was smacked across open ground. Sometimes Bulla was even played on horseback, raising clouds of dust and laughter in the air.

Within this colourful life lived my grandmother, a fearless, lively, and mischievous girl—lovingly called Naino.

The Day of the Royal Play

One sunny afternoon, all the children of my grandmother’s neighbourhood—boys and girls together—gathered for their usual playtime. They wanted to act out a Bulla match the way grown-ups did, with a king, bodyguards, players, and spectators.

They chose a little friend named Tawalut to play the role of the king. Two other friends—Majoot and Dinar (who later became my maternal grandfather)—were assigned to be the king’s bodyguards.

Children building a stone throne in a sunny Hunza courtyard.


The children then prepared a “royal throne” by stacking stones one over another, forming a small raised platform. King Tawalut climbed onto it with great seriousness, while Majoot and Dinar stood proudly on either side, trying to copy the dignified stance of real royal guards.

Naino, being naturally bold and curious, sat very close to the throne, watching everything with sparkling eyes.

The Royal Command

After everyone settled into their roles, the “king” lifted his hand with importance and gave the traditional command:

“Start the Bulla match!”

Child king with two bodyguards in a playful village theatre scene.


Immediately the players sprang into action. Wooden finchis struck the tharii with loud thuds, sending it bouncing across the ground. Dust shot into the air, the children shouted instructions, and laughter echoed across the valley.

Kids playing traditional Bulla hockey in the mountains.


King Tawalut watched the “match” with a proud, royal expression. Majoot and Dinar stood tall, trying not to smile at the excitement around them.

Everything was going perfectly.

Until it wasn’t.

A Sudden Sound… and Royal Shock

Right beside the king’s throne, stubborn little Naino—carefree and utterly unbothered—suddenly farted loudly.

A brave village girl sitting next to a child king.


The sound was so unexpected that even the dust seemed to pause.

King Tawalut froze. His eyes widened. He felt insulted in his “royal honour,” as if someone had committed a grave crime in his court.

He stood up abruptly, pointed a dramatic finger at Naino, and shouted in his kingly voice:

“Deylin! Bodyguards, punish her!”

Children laughing as the king reacts to a sudden fart.


(Deylin was their childhood way of saying “Hit her!”)

Majoot and Dinar, being loyal bodyguards even in play, immediately rushed forward to catch poor Naino.

But Naino was not someone who surrendered easily.

Naino the Warrior

As the two bodyguards charged at her, Naino shot up like lightning. Before Majoot and Dinar could even touch her, she grabbed one leg of Dinar in one hand and one leg of Majoot in the other.

Both boys stumbled helplessly as Naino pulled them with surprising strength. The children screamed in amazement and excitement.

Strong girl pulling two boy bodyguards by their legs during play.


Naino, with fire in her voice, shouted:

“Xhosay mai tiyata bagarachy!
You will hit me? You losers!”

And then came her famous, unforgettable line—half-insult, half-comedy:

“Chai pisheka nosheki haneta?
Oh, so YOU don’t fart? You people have no fart at all, and now you want to hit me!”

The children burst into laughter. Even the king forgot his insult for a moment.

Chaos in the Royal Court

What was once a peaceful royal play suddenly turned into a full-on wrestling match.

Majoot tried his best to free his leg but Naino held him like a mountain goat gripping a rock. The other children rushed to help him, pulling and tugging until finally they managed to rescue Majoot from Naino’s powerful grasp.

But Dinar was still trapped.

Naino dragged him toward the edge of a steep little slope nearby, shouting:

“I will throw him down!
How dare he come to hit me for a fart?”

Dinar squealed, kicking the air, while the other kids screamed and ran to save him.

At last, after much pulling, pushing, and shouting, the children managed to free Dinar from Naino’s iron grip—right before she could roll him down the slope.

The match ended there. The throne collapsed. The king forgot he was king.
And the entire neighbourhood talked and laughed about this incident for weeks.

The Legend Lives On

As my grandmother grew older, this story became one of the most beloved memories she shared with her children and grandchildren. Each time she told it, she laughed just as hard as she probably did on that childhood afternoon in Hunza.

It wasn’t just a story of children playing—it was a story about courage, innocence, humour, and the beautiful freedom of village childhood.

Moral of the Story

Childhood is full of small mistakes and big laughter.
What matters is the joy, the friendship, and the memories that stay with us forever.

And maybe… just maybe…

Never underestimate a girl named Naino.

Read more interesting stories here:

1. Naino and the Hidden Meat – A Childhood Tale from Old Hunza

2. The Echo of Wisdom – The Story of Ustad Chocho from Hunza

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