A Heart-Wrenching Tale of a Mother and Daughter

This touching narrative revolves around a widow and her young daughter living in poverty. The story unfolds as the mother brings home kafal berries, leading to a tragic misunderstanding that changes their lives forever. As the tale progresses, themes of love, regret, and the bond between mother and daughter emerge, culminating in a poignant ending that resonates with readers. Discover how this folklore reflects deep emotions and the consequences of hasty actions.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 6, 2026, 19:35 IST

The Story of a Widow and Her Daughter

In a small village, a widow lived with her young daughter, who was around six or seven years old. They struggled to make ends meet in their impoverished circumstances.

One morning, the mother went out to gather grass and brought back some kafal berries. The sight of the berries filled her daughter with immense joy.

The mother said, "I’m heading to the fields to work. We will eat the kafal when I return," and she carefully placed the berries in a basket, covering them with a cloth.

The daughter eagerly awaited the moment she could taste the kafal throughout the day. She kept lifting the cloth to peek at them, imagining their sweet and sour flavors, yet she obediently refrained from eating even one.

When evening came, the mother returned home. The daughter rushed to her and exclaimed, "Mom, can we eat the kafal now?"

The mother, exhausted, replied, "Let me catch my breath first, dear."

Upon opening the basket, the mother noticed that the kafal seemed to have diminished.

Angrily, she asked, "Did you eat any?"

The daughter replied, "No, Mom, I didn’t even touch them!"

Frustrated from fatigue, hunger, and the heat, the mother slapped her daughter in anger. The girl cried out, "I didn’t eat them, Mom..." and collapsed in tears.

Realizing her mistake, the mother picked her daughter up and began to wail, "Oh God! What have I done? I picked these kafal for her..."

She spent the night in sorrow, having thrown the basket outside in her rage.

The next morning, she discovered that the basket was filled with kafal again! The heat had wilted the berries, making them appear fewer, but the cool night air had revived them.

Seeing this, the mother was overwhelmed with regret and grief, leading to her demise.

It is said that both transformed into birds after their passing. Even today, when kafal ripens, one bird sings mournfully, "kafal pako, mai ni chakho" (the kafal are ripe, but I haven’t tasted them), while another responds, "poor putai poor poor" (it’s full, daughter, it’s full).