There once lived a man named Pattan, who lived in the Sahyadri mountains with his wife Kanni. Pattan found a plant with beautiful flowers that looked like it needed some care, and he planted it near their hut. The plant thrived and soon it grew into an enormous pumpkin.
One day the sky turned dark and rain fell heavily. Pattan knew that they had to leave the mountains, for there was sure to be a dangerous flood. The next morning Pattan began hollowing out the giant pumpkin, which had grown as tall as the mountain. He climbed the mountain, cut open the top, and began digging. With the animals helping, the great pumpkin was finally ready and big enough for everyone to fit inside.
Pattan helped everyone into the pumpkin. He cut it free and off they rolled down the mountain and into the river. Many days and nights passed, until they reached the plains. When the rain stopped, they all returned to the valley. They built a new home by the river and Pattan planted the single pumpkin seed that he had saved. They had many children, who grew up and lived alongside them in their own homes in the foothills of the mountains.