Section 1
A group of young girls were at the village well getting water. While they were filling their jars, they started talking about their future weddings and engagements. One of the girls said, "My uncle will be arriving soon with the most beautiful clothes you can imagine." Another girl said, "My uncle-in-law is coming too, and he'll be bringing the most delicious sweets you've ever tasted." The third girl said, "Oh, my uncle will be here in no time, and he's bringing the rarest jewels in the world."
Despite being an orphan with no one to arrange a marriage for her, Bopolûchì, who was considered the prettiest girl among them.She didn't want to appear inferior to the other girls and was too proud to stay quiet. She tried to hide her sadness and said cheerfully, "My uncle is also coming with beautiful dresses, delicious food, and exquisite jewels for me."
A wandering peddler who sold fragrances and cosmetics to women in the countryside was sitting near the well and overheard Bopolûchi's statement. He was captivated by her beauty and her spirit, and decided to marry her himself. The very next day, he disguised himself as a wealthy farmer and went to Bopolûchi's house with numerous trays filled with exquisite dresses, delicious food, and exquisite jewels. In reality, he was not a genuine peddler, but a villainous robber who was very wealthy.
Bopolûchì was amazed and astonished as everything was exactly as she had predicted. The robber claimed to be her father's brother who had been away in the world for many years and had now returned to organize her marriage with one of his sons, her cousin.
Bopolûchì was delighted to hear that the robber was her long-lost uncle and readily believed his story. She happily gathered her few belongings and left with the robber. However, as they were traveling along the road, a crow perched on a branch and squawked, "Bopolûchì, it's a shame! You're not wise, my pretty dame! He's not an uncle who's brought relief, but a robber who's causing you grief!"
Bopolûchi asked the robber, "Uncle, what does that crow say? It sounds strange."
The robber replied, "Oh, all the crows in this country croak like that."
As they continued on their journey, they came across a peacock. As soon as the peacock saw Bopolûchi, it screeched, "Bopolûchì, it's a shame! You're not wise, my pretty dame! He's not an uncle who's brought relief, but a robber who's causing you grief!"
"Uncle," Bopolûchi said, "what is the peacock saying? It sounds odd."
The robber answered, "Oh, all the peacocks in this country make that kind of noise."
The jackal crept across the road and when it saw Bopolûchì, it started howling:
"Bopolûchì, what a pity!
You've lost your mind, my pretty!
This isn't your uncle, but a robber who will deceive you!"
Bopolûchì turned to the robber and asked, "Uncle, why does the jackal howl like that?"
The robber replied, "Oh, don't worry about it. All jackals in this country howl like that."
Poor Bopolûchì continued on her journey until she finally arrived at the robber's house. The robber then revealed his true identity to her and declared his intention to marry her. She wept and protested, but the robber was unmoved and left her in the care of his elderly mother while he went to prepare for the wedding feast. Bopolûchì had long, beautiful hair that cascaded down to her ankles, but the old mother was completely bald.
The old mother, while putting the bridal dress on Bopolûchì, asked, "Daughter, how did you get such beautiful hair?"
Bopolûchi replied, "My mother made it grow by pounding my head in the big mortar for husking rice. With every stroke of the pestle, my hair grew longer and longer. It's a plan that never fails."
Excitedly, the old woman said, "Maybe it would make my hair grow too!"
Cunning Bopolûchi replied, "Perhaps it would."
The old mother then put her head in the mortar, and Bopolûchi pounded away with such a will that the old lady died.
Bopolûchi dressed the dead body of the old, ever so old mother in a scarlet bridal dress and seated it on a low bridal chair. She covered the face with a veil and placed a spinning-wheel in front of it, making it appear as if it was the bride. Bopolûchi then wore the old mother's clothes, took her bundle, and left the house hurriedly, hoping to escape unnoticed by the robber.
