One day while Bawang Putih was washing clothes by the river, her stepmother’s favourite scarf was suddenly swept away by the current. Knowing that she would be punished if she had lost the scarf, Bawang Putih followed the path down the river after the scarf. On and on she walked until she came upon a cave. The river continued into the cave. At the entrance of the cave stood an old woman.  

Bawang Putih approached the old woman and asked: "Did you perhaps see a scarf floating down this river?” 

“Oh, why yes, dear,” the old woman responded. Bawang Putih was thrilled! Perhaps she wouldn't be punished after all.  

“But I will only return you the scarf if you can help me complete some chores,” the old woman continued.  

Chores were not new to Bawang Putih and she gladly obliged. She thought to herself how the old woman must be weary with age and would need help.  

All day, Bawang Putih helped the old woman cook, clean the house and wash her clothes. Finally, Bawang Putih had completed her chores and it was time to leave for home.  

The old woman was grateful for Bawang Putih’s help and handed her back the scarf. But before Bawang Putih could leave, the old woman said: “Bawang Putih, I want to give you a gift. I would like to give you a pumpkin to thank you for helping me. Please choose one.” 

In front of Bawang Putih, the old woman laid two pumpkins—one big and one small.  

Not being greedy, Bawang Putih chose the small pumpkin so that the old woman could keep the big pumpkin for herself and headed home. 

When Bawang Putih reached home, her stepmother and Bawang Merah were angry that she had been gone for the whole day and that dinner had not been prepared. Bawang Putih told them about the old woman and how she was given a pumpkin for helping her. Her stepmother was furious and snatched the pumpkin from Bawang Putih’s hands and smashed it onto the floor.  

Lo and behold, a slew of gold and jewels fell out of the pumpkin. It was full of treasure! Her stepmother was speechless for a moment but suddenly turned to Bawang Putih and huffed: “Why did you not pick the larger pumpkin?!” 

Seeing all the gold and jewellery, Bawang Merah felt envious. The next day, the greedy sister decided to follow in her stepsister’s footsteps. She let her mother’s scarf float down the river and followed it until she found the old woman by the cave. Then she too went up to the old woman and asked slyly: “Did you see a scarf floating down this river?” 

Once again, the old woman answered: "Oh yes, indeed I have, dear. But before I can return it to you, would you mind helping me complete some chores?”  

Bawang Merah, who had never done a chore in her life, haughtily replied: “Chores?! I’m not here to do your chores, I want the large pumpkin!”  

The old woman was silent. However, she did not argue and went into the cave to retrieve the large pumpkin and handed it to Bawang Merah.  

Bawang Merah was thrilled! "Hah! I got a larger pumpkin and I didn’t have to lift a finger," she thought proudly to herself.  

She brought home the large pumpkin and together with her mother, they smashed it onto the floor expecting to see gold and jewels. To their horror, the pumpkin was filled with snakes, centipedes, scorpions and spiders. 

“Ahhhhhhhh!!! What is this? Where is the gold? Where is all the jewellery?” the pair screamed.

"Aw! Aw! It hurts!” “Aw! Aw! Ouch!” “Mum…Ouch…Aw…What should we do, Mum?”  

“Run, before we get bitten more!” her mother screamed. 

They ran away deep into the forest but the creatures gave chase, snapping and lunging at the two of them every step of the way. Both mother and daughter ran as fast as they could, never to be seen again. 

Bawang Putih was finally free from the evil hands of her stepmother and stepsister and with the gift of gold and jewels by the old woman, she was able to live comfortably and happily ever after.