world cultures · Ages 6-8

The Festival Colors Chased My Shadow

At a Holi celebration, a child learns how colored powder, music, and laughter can welcome spring while everyone helps keep play kind and safe.

The whole story

1. On a spring morning, Mira carried a tray of colors into the courtyard. Holi was beginning, and she wanted to join every song.

2. Mira lined up pink, yellow, green, and blue. She made each little bowl neat enough for a peacock to admire.

3. The drums boomed, and people called, “Holi hai!” Mira held her tray close. The courtyard suddenly seemed very loud.

4. Mira stepped beside a sunny wall. Her shadow stretched tall and quiet. It seemed to be the only thing in the courtyard that knew where to stand.

5. Grandmother came over with a bowl of pink. “Ask first,” she said. “A color is a gift, not a surprise.”

6. Mira asked her friend Arjun, “May I?” Arjun nodded. A tiny blue cloud landed on Mira’s palm.

7. Soon, everyone asked before sharing. Pink touched cheeks. Yellow dusted sleeves. Blue sprinkled the air like a little piece of sky.

8. Mira laughed so hard that her shadow seemed to laugh, too. Colors chased it across the ground, but never caught it.

9. When the drums grew wild, Mira remembered the rules. Keep powder away from eyes, leave room for feet, and stop when someone says stop.

10. At sunset, the music softened. Friends washed their hands, shared fruit, and rested beneath the marigolds.

11. Mira looked at her shadow again. It was still quiet, but now it wore every color of the day.

12. The colors welcomed spring. The music welcomed everyone. And laughter was brightest when every person helped keep the play kind and safe.

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