The Story of Hiding a Whole Pumpkin Under Rice

The Solution to Hunger: The Tale of the Pumpkin Thief

In a small village, a young boy was struggling with extreme poverty. Hunger plagued him daily, and there was nothing to eat. In the nearby fields, pumpkins grew in abundance. Desperate, the boy began sneaking into the fields at night to steal pumpkins, which he would then sell secretly at a neighboring market.
For a time, this helped him stave off hunger, but his actions eventually caught up with him. One day, he was caught red-handed, and from that moment onward, the villagers labeled him “the pumpkin thief.”

The Persistent Name: A Stigma That Wouldn’t Fade

Years passed, and the boy grew up to become a successful and wealthy man. However, despite his achievements, the nickname "pumpkin thief" followed him everywhere. Even when people gave directions to his home, they would say, “You mean the house of the pumpkin thief? It’s down this way.”
No matter how prosperous he became, this label caused him great distress. The weight of his past, symbolized by this persistent nickname, troubled him deeply.

The Sage’s Advice: A Path to Redemption

One day, a revered sage came to the village. The man, burdened by his old reputation, sought the sage’s counsel and expressed his frustrations. The sage advised him to make amends by doing something positive for the community. “For six months, offer free meals to the entire village,” he suggested. Taking the sage’s advice to heart, the man began hosting large feasts. Word quickly spread that his home was a place where anyone could come and be served a hearty meal. The meals were elaborate, featuring a variety of dishes, including pumpkin curry, and were served on banana leaves to all who came.

From Infamy to Respect: A Transformation Through Generosity

Over time, people started to say, “No matter when you go to his house, there’s always food to be had.” Villagers flocked to his home, enjoyed the generous meals, and left full and satisfied, thanking him for his hospitality.
Now, when people asked for directions, they no longer referred to him as the "pumpkin thief." Instead, they would say, “You’re looking for the house where food is always served? It’s that way.” In this way, the man managed to change how he was perceived, using his generosity to eclipse the stigma of his past.

The Origin of the Proverb:

This is how the proverb like “trying to hide a whole pumpkin under a heap of rice” came to be. It serves as a reminder that no matter how much one tries to conceal a significant mistake or issue with smaller acts, the truth often remains too large to hide. The saying is now commonly used to highlight futile attempts at covering up something obvious.

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