Junior Vocab
Diwali Dinner Preparations
Meera: "Riya, help me carry these plates to the terrace na. Guests will come soon."
Riya: "Uff, it’s so hot. Why do we have to eat on the terrace for Diwali dinner anyway?"
Amma: "Because the sky will be full of fireworks, and that breeze will taste better than chutney."
Riya: "Breeze doesn’t have taste, Amma."
Meera: "It does! It tastes like… cold limbu soda in your nose."
Riya: "You’re just saying that so I’ll help."
Amma: "You can say no. But I was hoping someone would help willingly, not after ten complaints."
Riya: "What’s the difference? Helping is helping."
Meera:willingly, they feel like paper." "No, when you grumble, the plates feel heavier. When you help
Riya: "Paper plates would be easier, Meera."
Amma: "These steel ones have seen every Diwali since I was your age. They like happy helpers."
Riya: "Happy helpers, huh? Do they cry if I sulk?"
Meera: "Yes. Then the laddoos will melt from sadness and we’ll have to eat them all quickly."
Riya: "That actually sounds nice."
Amma: "If you help willingly, I’ll let you choose the first firecracker we burst."
Riya: "Any one? Even the big chakra?"
Amma: "Even the big chakra."
Riya: "Fine… I’ll help. But I’m not smiling."
Meera: "Your mouth is not smiling, but your eyes are doing a tiny dance."
Riya: "Shh. Hand me that stack. I’m helping willingly… before I change my mind."
Amma: "See? When you do it willingly, even the spoons sound like they’re singing."
Meera: "Clink-clink! They’re saying thank you, Riya the Willing."