It was the cheerful and sunny morning of Diwali. The much-awaited festival of lights was here. The sky had a lovely pink glow, and the village was agog with joy. On Diwali night, most Hindus offer prayers to Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the god representing good fortune and wisdom for the coming year.

Danish was an eight-year-old orphan who lived with his grandmother. She told him that his parents had gone to visit God, asking for a better fortune, and would be back with lots of sweets and new clothes for him. Little did Danish know his grandmother was worried about arranging every meal.

Danish owned three pairs of clothes and lived in his little house, in a lovely village. In the evening he went out to the market, sat on a bench nearby, and watched little kids purchase their favorite firecrackers and clothes for the night. He got anxious, thinking about when his parents would be back. Danish had heard that people exchange sweets and gifts on the Diwali evening with their loved ones. He wished he had something to give to his grandmother. Danish walked a long way and went to every temple in the village asking God for good fortune and a gift that his grandma would like. On his way home, he visited a big temple and asked the chief priest to request God to tell his parents to come back with or without sweets and also asked for a gift. Then he helped the priest with the Diwali decorations of the temple. As a reward, the priest offered Danish a gold bracelet and enough money to feed Danish and his grandma till the next Diwali.

Danish ran back to his grandmother and saw her praying. He quietly sat behind her. She had made ladoos, Danish’s favorite dessert for which he had been waiting for months. Danish gave her the gift he received from the temple of God and told her about the kind priest. Big tears fell from her eyes and she hugged Danish tightly. It was a Happy Diwali.

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    Sandra James
    Sandra James(@sandra-james)
    1 year ago

    Your story gave me happy goosebumps, Nandinee. What a wonderful little boy and very deserving of getting his wish. Very well done  ? 

    Margarida Brei
    Margarida Brei(@margarida-brei)
    1 year ago

    Nandinee, your title alone inspired me to search google for information about Diwali. Thank you, for teaching me more about this important Indian holiday. Welcome to Voice.Club; you have already made a sensation.

    Lotchie Carmelo
    Lotchie Carmelo(@lotchie-carmelo)
    1 year ago

    Welcome to voice club, Nandinee. Danish is a wonderful boy that can inspire others. And thank you for allowing us to learn about some Indian culture (Diwali) and food (Ladoos). Wishing you more wealth, good fortune, and wisdom, Nandinee. Advanced Happy Diwali this coming October. Your story is beautifully written. Keep on writing. 

    Allan Neil
    Allan Neil(@allan-neil)
    1 year ago

    Nandinee, I once had the good fortune to spend Diwali in Fiji, where my hosts had a beautiful house atop a hill that looked over the countryside in all directions. After dark it was like an island surrounded by a sea of coruscating lights, colours and sounds. My hosts had also invited as guests some of the less fortunate people from the nearby village and a huge feast was enjoyed by all.… Read more »

    Last edited 1 year ago by Allan Neil
    Bella Minyo
    Bella Minyo(@bella-minyo)
    1 year ago

    Your story about Diwali and Indian culture is truly beautiful. I thought that it was wonderfully sweet that the little boy went to every temple to pray and find a gift for his grandmother. It sounds like a delightful festival and I cannot wait to further research more about it! Great story, Nandinee, and I am excited to read your other works!

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