This story is co-created with Esha from Montreal.

 

It was a crisp morning outside a little house with a red-tiled roof. The sun was just waking up, stretching its golden rays across the world. And right there, in front of the house, something magical was taking shape. Meet Rani—a stunning Rangoli made from rice flour. She was white, had swirling patterns, sparkling colours, and tiny, perfect details. Every curve and dot were placed with so much care that everyone tiptoed around her, not wanting to mess things up. Rani was magnificent, and she knew it!

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Rani: Oh, look at me! I’m a masterpiece! 

 

The day rolled on, and the world got busier. But Rani? She just sat there, soaking in all the admiration. She was so happy, she started humming a little tune to herself, feeling like the queen of the front porch. As Rani sang her cheerful tune, lost in her own joy, she suddenly paused and realised... 

 

Rani (shocked): Hey! There was a white ring around here! It’s missing! And what about the dot- it’s… It’s gone!

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Rani was horrified. Someone - or something - was stealing her rings! She was no longer the perfect masterpiece she had been that morning?

 

Rani (furious): Who dares ruin my beauty?! 

 

Suddenly, a sparrow flew by.

 

Rani: You! Bird! You’ve been lurking around all morning. Did you take my grains? 

 

Bird: Me?! I beg your pardon. I’m a proud bird with better things to eat. Grains? Pfft! I prefer berries, thank you very much.

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Rani: Fine. You’re off the hook… for now. But beware, I’m watching you!

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The bird flew off, and Rani saw a cat sitting nearby, looking at her, purring.

 

Rani: Hey you! Lazy furball! Don’t think I haven’t noticed you snooping around. Did you do this?

 

Cat: Me? Sweetheart, I don’t even eat grains. I have bigger fish to fry… literally.

 

Rani: Then who?!

 

That’s when Rani noticed something – a tiny black dot carrying some rice flour on its back. It was an ant!

 

Rani: Hey! You little thief! What do you think you’re doing?

 

Poppy: Oh, hello! I’m Poornima. My friends call me Poppy. My friends here are just borrowing some flour. Winter is coming, you see, and we need to store food.

 

Rani: Borrowing?! This is my rice flour! And I need it to stay beautiful.

 

Poppy: Well, we’re not just taking it for fun. You see, our colony works all summer and autumn to gather food, so we don’t starve during the winter. Each ant carries one tiny grain at a time, and together, we build a big stockpile underground. It’s how we survive!

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Rani was curious despite herself. She imagined a whole colony of ants huddled together, safe and cozy, munching on rice flour during a chilly winter. 

 

Rani: But why me? Can’t you find food somewhere else?

 

Poppy: Oh, Rani, don’t you know? Rangolis are made with rice flour so we don’t have to walk too far for a meal. It’s part of something called ‘saatvik dharma’. 

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Rani: Satvik… what now?

 

Poppy: Okay, imagine this, Rani. When you share your grains, we ants get food to store for winter. The birds might eat some too. Everything in nature is connected, like one big team helping each other. When you share, you’re playing your part to keep the team - our ecosystem - happy and balanced! 

 

Rani: Balanced? What about my balance? My swirls, my symmetry! I look terrible now! And it’s all your fault!

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Rani was stubborn. Even though she understood what the ants were saying, she didn’t want to let go of her pride.

 

Rani: Go away, ants! SHOO! Find your food somewhere else.

 

Poppy the ant carefully set down the grain of rice, her tiny antennae drooping with sadness. 

 

But just then, something unexpected happened. The wind began to howl, swirling dust and leaves everywhere. 

 

Rani: No! Not the wind! It’s smudging my design!

 

Rani’s swirls and patterns began to blur as the wind grew stronger. But then, something extraordinary happened. Poppy quickly rallied her friends. 

 

Poppy: Ants, form a chain! We’ll protect Rani’s design!

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The ants linked together in a determined little wall around Rani, trying their best to shield her from the wind. 

 

Rani: You’re… protecting me? 

 

Poppy: Of course! You gave us a home and food, Rani! Now it’s our turn to help you!

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The ants held their ground bravely, but the wind was just too strong. It blew past them, scattering Rani’s grains into a swirling mess. 

 

Rani: My beauty… it’s all gone.

 

Poppy looked back at Rani, tilting her tiny head as the rangoli sobbed over her smudged design. 

 

Poppy: We tried, Rani. We’re sorry we couldn’t do more. But your grains can still make a difference – for us tiny little ants. 

 

Rani sat quietly, lost in thought. Her once-admired beauty was gone, scattered to the wind. But then, an idea sparked - she could fulfill her dharma. It’s about doing what’s right and living in a way that helps others. For Rani, her dharma was to share her grains with the creatures around her—to help the ants, the birds, and the tiny lives that depended on her. With a determined heart, Rani decided to do just that.  But by then, Poppy and the other ants had started to walk away, thinking Rani wouldn’t want to help.

 

Rani: Wait! Poppy, come back!  

 

Poppy: You called us back? 

 

Rani: Take my grains. Take what you need. I want to help you all. 

 

Poppy glanced at her friends, her tiny antennae twitching as if to ask, “Should we accept Rani’s help?” Her friends beamed and nodded their little heads eagerly. The ants moved swiftly, scurrying around to gather grains from the edges of Rani’s design. 

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As she watched her intricate patterns fade, Rani didn’t feel sad. Instead, a warm sense of pride filled her heart. 

 

Rani: I guess I’m still beautiful… just in a different way. 

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The next morning, as the sun rose, the family came outside to draw a brand-new rangoli. 

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Rani: Oh, look at me! I’m back! Brighter, bolder, and more beautiful than ever! 

 

Rani sparkled with joy, her bright colours swirling happily in the morning sun. She felt like a brand-new version of herself—back and better than ever! But this time, it wasn’t just about being beautiful. She wiggled with excitement, hoping her little ant friends would come back soon. 

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Rani: I hope they come back. 

 

And just as she hoped, there they were—her tiny ant friends, led by Poppy, walking towards her in a straight line. As soon as they saw her, they smiled and waved at her. 

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Poppy: Good morning, Rani. How are you today? 

 

Rani: Ah, my favourite little visitors. I was waiting for you! Don’t worry, there’s plenty of rice flour to share today.

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The ants buzzed with excitement as they got to work, scurrying around and carrying tiny grains one by one. And Rani didn’t mind this time.