In the city of Ayodhya, people were getting ready for a very special homecoming. Ram, Sita, and Lakshman had been away for a long time, and now they were coming back. Families wanted the road to feel bright and welcoming for the travelers.
Before that journey home, Ram had faced Ravan, the king with ten heads, and helped Sita return. Ravan was very grand about everything. His ten heads never quite agreed. One thought his crown was straight, another insisted it was leaning, and a third wanted to know whether supper was ready. While he tried to look impressive, his crown kept wobbling. He was rather silly to watch.
At one doorway, a child stood beside a grown-up and watched a diya glow. “Is it for the travelers?” the child asked. “It is one way we welcome them,” said the grown-up. They watched the light together, careful to stand back. Soon the whole street looked like it was holding a warm, bright welcome.
At last, Ram, Sita, and Lakshman made their way toward Ayodhya. As evening came, people placed little diyas outside their homes. One lamp glowed, then another, until the path looked warm and bright. The lights said, “Welcome home. We are happy you are here.”
The travelers saw the lamps and knew their family and neighbors were waiting. They came home together, and Ayodhya filled with happy voices. The diyas flickered softly in the night, like tiny stars close to the ground.
That is one way families tell the Diwali story: a homecoming, a welcome, and light after a long journey. When you see a diya, you can remember the people who cared enough to light the way. And now the lamps are growing sleepy too. Let their little light glow in your thoughts as you close your eyes. Goodnight.