Tara Counts the Diwali Lights

A gentle Diwali story for toddlers: Tara helps Papa set out three little clay diyas, then counts the lights glowing all down the lane.

Ages 2-3 - 2 minute read - curious - EN

Reviewed for child-safety · gentle by design · How our stories are made

Published 2026-10-15T07:19:42.575292

Storybook cover for Tara Counts the Diwali Lights

Read-aloud note

Read slowly, soften your voice near the end, and leave a small pause before the final goodnight line.

Story

It's Diwali, the festival of lights! Papa has a shiny tray with three little clay lamps. "These are diyas," says Papa. Tara peeks in. "Diyas!" "Let's find a place for each one," says Papa.

Tara carries one diya. Slow, slow, slow. She puts it by the front door. "One!" She carries the next diya to the step. Pat, pat. "Two!" Just right.

Where does the last diya go? Up, up, on the window! Papa lifts Tara high. She sets it down very gently. "Three!"

Now it's Papa's turn. Lighting diyas is a grown-up job. Tara sits on the mat with her hands in her lap, and she watches. One little flame. Two little flames. Three little flames. Glow, glow, glow.

Tara looks out from Papa's arms. A diya glows at every house! Lights by the doors. Lights on the steps. Lights in the windows. "One, two, three… so many!" Tara gives a big, sleepy yawn. "Happy Diwali, little light," Papa whispers.

Scenes

Little Lamps

It's Diwali, the festival of lights! Papa has a shiny tray with three little clay lamps. "These are diyas," says Papa. Tara peeks in. "Diyas!" "Let's find a place for each one," sa

It's Diwali, the festival of lights! Papa has a shiny tray with three little clay lamps. "These are diyas," says Papa. Tara peeks in. "Diyas!" "Let's find a place for each one," says Papa.

One, Two

Tara carries one diya. Slow, slow, slow. She puts it by the front door. "One!" She carries the next diya to the step. Pat, pat. "Two!" Just right.

Tara carries one diya. Slow, slow, slow. She puts it by the front door. "One!" She carries the next diya to the step. Pat, pat. "Two!" Just right.

Up to the Window

Where does the last diya go? Up, up, on the window! Papa lifts Tara high. She sets it down very gently. "Three!"

Where does the last diya go? Up, up, on the window! Papa lifts Tara high. She sets it down very gently. "Three!"

Glow, Glow, Glow

Now it's Papa's turn. Lighting diyas is a grown-up job. Tara sits on the mat with her hands in her lap, and she watches. One little flame. Two little flames. Three little flames. G

Now it's Papa's turn. Lighting diyas is a grown-up job. Tara sits on the mat with her hands in her lap, and she watches. One little flame. Two little flames. Three little flames. Glow, glow, glow.

So Many Lights

Tara looks out from Papa's arms. A diya glows at every house! Lights by the doors. Lights on the steps. Lights in the windows. "One, two, three… so many!" Tara gives a big, sleepy

Tara looks out from Papa's arms. A diya glows at every house! Lights by the doors. Lights on the steps. Lights in the windows. "One, two, three… so many!" Tara gives a big, sleepy yawn. "Happy Diwali, little light," Papa whispers.

Read-aloud note

Read slowly, soften your voice near the end, and leave a small pause before the final goodnight line.