The landlord realized he had been tricked. Moreover, he recognized her as his laborer’s sister. As punishment for his earlier greed, Akkana demanded not only her brother’s full wages but also compensation for the spilled dairy.
As Akkana opened the basket, she deliberately slipped and spilled a little buttermilk on the floor. Then she started humming a folk tune and began to dance lightly – a tullu . The landlord watched, confused. Akkana Tullu Kannada Story 3 26
She went to the landlord’s house and said in a deep voice, “Sir, I am a traveling merchant. I have the finest butter and curd. Would you like to buy them? But I have one condition – you must not utter the word ‘Tullu’ (dance/jump) while I am here.” The landlord realized he had been tricked