Junior Vocab
Preparing for Navratri
Anya: "Yuck, why are there onion peels on the floor? Amma will slip when she comes to light the diya."
Rohan: "I was helping Appa cut onions for the sundal. My eyes were burning, so I just dropped them."
Anya: "And what about this sambar on the table? It’s sticky! My sleeve got glued."
Rohan: "That’s not glue, it’s masala powder! Anyway, we’re busy getting ready for Navratri, no time to fuss."
Anya: "But the bommai golu dolls look so pretty and the floor looks like a garbage truck exploded."
Rohan: "Who looks at the floor when there are ten steps of dolls? People will only see the Krishna with the tiny flute."
Appa: "People will also smell the onion peels and step on the sticky sambar. Not a great combo with your lovely Krishna."
Anya: "Yeah, imagine Aunty slipping and falling right in front of the kolu. She’ll become one more doll."
Rohan: "Don’t tease! I’ll just push everything under the sofa. Problem solved."
Appa: "Hmm, and when the ants have a party under the sofa? Will they also go on display for Navratri?"
Rohan: "Ant golu! That sounds funny, actually."
Anya: "Not funny if they climb into our sundal bowl. I’m not sharing my peanuts with ants."
Rohan: "Fine, fine. But cleaning is so boring. Decorations are the fun part."
Appa: "Decorations shine brighter when there’s cleanliness. It’s like giving the house a bath before the festival."
Anya: "Yeah, like when Amma oils and braids my hair, my jasmine flowers smell nicer somehow."
Rohan: "So you’re saying our kolu will look extra magical if the floor isn’t crunchy and sticky?"
Appa: "Exactly. Cleanliness is the secret ingredient, even before the coconut and jaggery."
Anya: "Okay, I’ll pick up the onion peels and wipe the table. You sweep, Rohan."
Rohan: "Deal. If cleanliness makes our golu sparkle, I want the sparkliest one in the whole building."