Long ago, in a far away village there lived a man named Kapuruhami. He and his wife had five children. Though he had a large family Kapuruhami was lazy and didn’t do any farming or any other work. The only way he earned money was by hiring his bull to traders who went to Puttalam to bring salt. 
There was a very large saltern in Puttalam and most of the people got their salt from there. This also gave rise to a saying among the people. If someone was taking something to a place which had plenty of it already people said "it is like taking salt to Puttalam".
Kapuruhami’s wife got very tired of her husband doing nothing and not bringing an income. One day she asked him “Can’t you at least go to Puttalam and bring and sell salt?
“ I don’t know to drive a cart and neither do I know how to go to Puttalam”, said Kapuruhami.
“Oh, don’t worry about that” said Kapuruhamis wife. Our bull has gone to Puttalam many a time and knows the way very well. He will take you”.
So, one fine day Kapuruhami harnessed his bull to the cart and set off for Puttalam to bring salt. His wife cooked him lunch, packeted it and gave it to him.
Fast asleep
Kapuruhami and his bull went on their way merrily but after a while Kapuruhami fell fast asleep. The bull trotted on for a while but since Kapuruhami did not give him any commands he turned homewards.
The bull came to a stop before Kapuruhami’s house and Kapuruhani woke with a start. He thought he had reached Puttalam as he had never seen Puttalam before.
His children were happy and excited to see him and shouted “father, father” joyously.
But Kapuruhami was angry.
“ how can I have children in Puttalam”? I am not your father, get away before I hit you”, he yelled at the children.
Frightened and bewildered the poor children backed away.
Kapuruhami’s wife heard all this noise and came running to see what was the matter. She welcomed him thinking Kapuruhami had at last done some good work and had brought salt.
But her words of welcome made Kapuruhami angrier.
Confusion
He was thoroughly confused. He thought there was a woman in Puttalam just like his wife. He began to shout at his wife too.
Exasperated his wife went into the kitchen and came out with a broomstick.
She said to Kapuruhami, “Well, you seem to have difficulty in recognising your own children and wife. At least, can you recognise this broomstick’?
She started beating her husband with the broomstick and now, Kapuruhami certainly recognised the broomstick.
He clambered up the short front wall yelling for someone to come and help him.
Thus, ended Kapuruhami's journey to Puttalam.
Source: Folkloree