Archie Celebrates Diwali

This year Archie invites a few friends from school to her family’s big Diwali party. Virgil and Nora say they never heard of Diwali, and Paisley has trouble pronouncing it. Archie worries-what if they don’t like her favorite holiday? Archie rakes the leaves… plugs in the lights… fixes a smudge in the rangoli… and lines up every diya on the walkway.

Everything needs to be perfect, thinks Archie, straightening the garland of paper marigolds.

Archie’s family is busy in the kitchen. Krishna makes a mess in his high chair.
Archie tastes Dida’s special curry. Maybe it’s too spicy, she worries.

“For your friends, I put only one chili,” says Dida.

“You know the reason we have Diwali every year?” asks Poppy Uncle.

“To celebrate the triumph of good over evil,” Archie answers, arranging the sweets.
“Well, yes!” says Poppy Uncle with a wink. “But really it’s so your grandmother can sing karaoke!”

Everybody laughs. Archie secretly hopes Dida doesn’t sing too much and Poppy Uncle doesn’t tell too many jokes in front of her friends.

“Let’s get your new clothes on,” says Ma.

Archie twirls. She loves the sequins on her lehenga. “You look like a maharani!” says Ma. “A real Indian queen!”

Archie looks in the mirror. Maybe her friends will think she looks weird. They’ve never seen her dressed up like this.

The doorbell rings. Archie’s heart skips a beat, but it’s just Mr. and Mrs. Goldman with a huge umbrella.

It’s pouring outside. Leaves litter the lawn. The rangoli is ruined. The diyas are drenched. A marigold garland blows down the street. There are flashes of lightning and rumbles of thunder. It sounds like a demon battle up in the clouds.

“Quite a Diwali downpour!” says Mr. Goldman.