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
