Ravi's Rainbow Holi

Holi was coming, the festival of colors that welcomes spring. Ravi had been counting the days.

On the night before Holi, Ravi's family joined the neighbors around a big bonfire. Grandma told the old story of good winning over bad, and everyone sang as sparks floated up into the dark.

In the morning, Ravi put on his oldest white shirt. "White is best for Holi," said Papa, "because by lunchtime it will be every color there is."

Ravi had little bags of colored powder: pink, green, yellow, blue and orange. He also had a water squirter shaped like a fish.

Ravi ran outside and saw his friend Meera. He was about to throw a handful of pink at her, then he remembered what Mama had said. "Always ask first."

"Meera, can I put color on you?" Ravi asked.

"Yes!" said Meera. "Happy Holi!" She patted green on his cheeks, and he patted pink on hers, gently, away from their eyes.

Soon the whole street was a rainbow. Grandpa had blue hair. Mrs. Thomas from next door had a yellow nose. Even the dog had a purple spot on his tail.

Then Ravi saw his little cousin Anu standing by the gate, holding her ears and looking unsure. Ravi didn't throw any color. He knelt down. "Would you like to put some on me instead?" he asked.

Anu smiled. She put one tiny orange fingerprint on his nose. Everyone cheered.

Afterwards, they washed off at the garden tap and ate sweet, crescent-shaped gujiya until their tummies were full. Ravi looked at his shirt. It was every color there is.

⭐ The End ⭐