The rangoli (印度传统地画艺术) was a giant good-luck charm. Grandma used to make one for the start of the new year. First, she would draw on the floor with chalk. Then, she would fill the drawing with uncooked 1 rice.
This year, Manju was old enough to help. He 2 paper into a cone (圆锥体) and filled it with rice. Side by side, he placed rice across the drawing together with Grandma. Sometimes his rice skittered (轻快地跑跳) outside the drawing; sometimes he used the 3 color. And sometimes he rubbed away the 4 , so Grandma had to redraw it. But 5 , the bright swirls of rice were transformed into a beautiful peacock. When Manju admired the peacock, he 6 a small piece of tile(瓷砖) peeking through on Grandma's side.
A 7 ? But Grandma was away to answer the telephone. Should he fix it?
"I'll surprise Grandma!" He decided. He 8 across, trying to reach the gap. Almost. His left leg inched up. There! Suddenly, Manju began to 9 . His proud smile vanished. "No!" He crashed down on to the rangoli, scattering rice 10 .
Manju rose to his feet and pushed the rice back. But the colors were 11 .When Grandma came back, Manju 12 . He said, "I'm sorry. I should have waited for you." Grandma shook her head. "You saw a 13 and tried to fix it. I'm proud of you." They picked up the rice, 14 each grain by color.
Just before nightfall, they finished fixing the rangoli.
Grandma lit candles around the rangoli. In the flickering light, the peacock seemed 15 with mystical powers. Manju smiled. The new year felt full of good luck, thanks to Grandma and him.