The Lakshmi of my house had been busy today. Her eight days of fasting and keeping the flame going finally culminates today on the Ashtami. The little goddesses arrived, one after the other, one of them even in a stroller. No better sight than tiny tots dressed in traditional Indian costumes. The flurry of tiny feet, the clinking anklets all suggest their patient wait while the lady of the house offers her prayer to them. Finally, the gift packets make their way in causing a great deal of excitement. Their eyes light up as they accept their treats, by now fans of poori-halwa. My Lakshmi, at last breaks her fast, only after offering me and our daughter. Once more, the auspicious Navaratri visits and blesses our home.