Lilu's Bright Diwali

LILU’S HOUSE WAS bustling. It was Diwali, the Indian New Year and Festival of Lights, and her family was throwing a big party.

- Anita Nahta Amin

Lilu wanted to help. But she wasn’t sure how. She wondered what her cousins far away in India did. Maybe they just ask, she thought.

So Lilu looked for someone to ask. She found Grandma Nanima sitting on the den floor in a sea of marigold flowers.

Nanima was making garlands to dress the doorways. The garland she was working on draped over her legs and snaked across the floor. 

Lilu sat next to her and picked up a marigold. “Can I help?” 

Smiling, Nanima took the marigold. “You can keep me company,” she said, poking her needle and string through the marigold. She gently slid the flower down the string.

“Why do you always use marigolds? Why not . . .”—Lilu searched her mind—“daisies?”

“Marigolds grow all over India,” Nanima answered. “And orange and yellow bring joy and good fortune. They invite Lakshmi, the Goddess of Good Luck. She searches for homes to bless on Diwali.”​

Lilu started to hand Nanima another marigold. But Nanima had already plucked one from the pile.

Later, while Nanima checked the garland’s length, a grinding noise came from the kitchen. She and Lilu looked toward it. “I wonder if your mom needs help,” Nanima said.

“I’ll check.” Lilu went to the kitchen.

Mom was grinding almonds in the blender to make punch.

When she turned it off, Lilu asked, “Can I help?”

Mom smiled. “You can keep me company.” She added milk, fizzy water, sugar, and spices to the blender. After a whir and a zap-zap, she poured everything into a punch bowl.

Next, she opened some boxes on the counter.