Tia sat in her room fiddling with her iPad, which was a gift from her Dad for her 11th birthday. Dholu, a pink elephant with big blue eyes and a bright red bow on his head, sat amidst a pile of neglected toys in the corner of her room. Once Tia's favorite stuffed toy, there was a time when she would refuse to go to sleep without Dholu by her side when she was little. But over the years she had outgrown him.
"Tia!" Her mother called out from the other side of the door, followed by a knock. "Tia! Open the door!"
"Coming," replied Tia with a disinterested monotone. Being on the cusp of adolescence, Tia was always moody and self absorbed these days. She put her iPad aside and opened the door.
"Look who's here!" Said her mom enthusiastically as she entered the room with two other people. "It's Malti and little Leela," she added with a smile. Malti was one of the maids in their household. Every Diwali she would be invited to take away some of Tia's old clothes and toys. This time she brought her daughter Leela along.
"How old are you, Leela?" Mrs. Khurrana asked.
"Eight," Leela said, flashing an innocent grin, fidgeting with her little faded pink frock that had seen better days.
"Wow! You're a big girl now," said Mrs. Khurrana. "Malti, I've kept aside some of Tia's clothes and toys for Leela. I'll just get them."
Tia then got busy with her iPad again and chose to ignore the other two people in her room. Meanwhile, the cute pink elephant with a bright red bow on his head caught Leela's attention and her fancy. As Mrs. Khurrana handed Malti a bag full of clothes and some old toys, Malti thanked her and grabbed Leela's hand to leave. But the little girl wouldn't budge. Her eyes were affixed on Dholu.
"Do you like him?" Mrs. Khurrana asked Leela as she noticed her gazing at the stuffed toy. "His name is Dholu. He used to be Tia's favorite when she was little. But she doesn't care for him anymore. Why don't you take him home with you?"
Leela smiled gratefully at Mrs. Khurrana for her offer while Tia looked up from her iPad with a frown and threw an angry fit, refusing to give Dholu away.
"You barely even look at him now, Tia. You don't play with any of these toys any more. And you are too busy with your new iPad and all your friends these days. Let Leela take Dholu. It'll make her happy," Mrs. Khurrana explained, trying to reason with her daughter.
"I don't care! He's mine!" Said Tia adamantly.
"It's alright, memsaab. You've already given my Leela so many things. She doesn't need Dholu. Come, child. Let's go," said Malti.
Little Leela's face dropped with disappointment for a second but she quickly covered it with a smile and thanked Tia didi for everything she had given her. Mrs. Khurrana apologized for Tia's behavior and gave Leela a big bar of chocolate before she left. Shortly after, Tia rushed outside to meet her friend and saw little Leela walking with Malti across the street from her building. Then, what she saw next really surprised her.
Two little boys from the slums nearby saw Leela holding the big chocolate bar and asked her for it, pleading with her. And without any hesitation, little Leela selflessly handed the chocolate to them with a smile and walked away happily with her mother, waving at the boys. This made Tia think hard about her own actions. Tia was blessed with so much in life, yet she did not have something that Leela had. Kindness. Watching that little girl with a big heart made Tia realize a simple thing about life. Kindness doesn't cost a thing, and when you get to be the reason for someone's happiness, it brings you happiness too. She realized her mistake and quickly went back home and asked her mom to invite Malti and Leela to celebrate Diwali with them that evening.
Tia made a rangoli with her mum and lit diyas around the house for the beautiful festival of lights. When she saw little Leela again that evening, she greeted her with a warm smile this time. Leela was wearing one of Tia's old dresses, but it still looked good as new. Tia ran to her room and came back with Dholu. She handed him to Leela with a smile and wished her a happy Diwali.
"I hope he brings you a lot of joy. Happy Diwali," Tia said to Leela.
She then took Leela to the terrace to watch the fireworks and they both laughed with glee at the sight of vibrant colors bursting in the night sky. For Tia, this Diwali seemed brighter than any other, because it was the first time she felt the joy in being selfless. She had learned to be grateful for what she had. Tia gifted Leela with her favorite toy, Dholu; while Leela gave Tia a far greater gift. The gift of kindness and the sense of contentment that came with it. And for both Tia and Leela, it indeed turned out to be a precious Diwali.
Here's wishing all the readers and their families a very happy, joyous & prosperous Diwali full of brightness & light!!!
***
(Written by A. S. Grace)
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