Country - Italy
Formation – Circle
Equipment – none
Game – One player is Il Cucuzzaro, the Pumpkin Planter. She stands in the middle of a seated circle, made by the other players who are Pumpkins. ‘It’ gives each player a number. Then ‘it’ says, ‘in my garden, there are 5 (any number) pumpkins.” Pumpkin #5 says, “Why five pumpkins?” ‘It’ answers, “if not five, then how many?” #5 then says, “Twelve (any number)”. #12 must be alert and answer promptly, “Why twelve pumpkins?’ to which ‘it’ replies, “if not twelve, then how many?”…. The game goes on, with questions and answers. If a player forgets her number, or fails to answer promptly, or gets mixed up, she may be given a simple penalty to perform.