Where Did the Laddoos Go? A Diwali Story
During Diwali preparations, a shiny bowl of laddoos mysteriously vanishes! Dua, Rishi, Lisa and friends search through rangolis, garlands and lamps, counting from one to ten, until Dad’s secret is revealed. But when the sweets finally return, they disappear again, turning this bedtime story into a playful, giggle-worthy mystery.
This story was written and illustrated by real humans.
Read along with the animated video
Listen to the audiobook
Read ‘Where Did the Laddoos Go? A Diwali Story’ online for free
© Storyberries. All rights reserved.
Let’s talk about ‘Where Did the Laddoos Go? A Diwali Story’!
Vocabulary
- Laddoo
- A round Indian sweet made from flour, sugar, ghee, and spices.
- Bhaiya
- A Hindi word meaning older brother.
- Rangoli
- Decorative floor art made with coloured powders or flowers during festivals.
- Mango leaf torans
- Festive door hangings made of mango leaves to welcome guests.
- Marigold garlands
- Strings of bright orange or yellow flowers used for decoration in Indian festivals.
- Ghagra
- A long, traditional Indian skirt often worn with a blouse and dupatta.
- Saree
- A traditional Indian garment made from a long piece of cloth wrapped around the body.
- Bangles
- Circular bracelets worn as accessories, often made of glass or metal.
Context
Where Did the Laddoos Go? A Diwali Story introduces children to the joyful traditions of Diwali through a playful mystery about missing sweets. The story helps readers learn about Indian culture, including food, clothing, decorations, and festive rituals.
By presenting cultural details in a fun and engaging way, it builds cultural awareness and curiosity. Children also practise comprehension skills by following the clues in the plot, while connecting family celebrations to broader values of sharing, togetherness, and joy.
Discussion questions
Spark a conversation with your child and connect the story to real-life lessons.
Celebration
- Diwali is shown with colourful rangolis, lamps and sweets. Which of these traditions feels the most exciting to you, and why?
- How do celebrations like Diwali bring families and friends closer together? Can you think of a time when a party made you feel connected?
- What do you notice about the way everyone in the story helps decorate? How does sharing the work make the celebration more joyful?
Family
- Dua and Rishi have a funny brother–sister relationship. What do you notice about how they tease and care for each other?
- How does Dad’s secret hiding place for the laddoos show the role parents play in looking after children?
- What do you think it means for a family to celebrate together, even when the children are impatient for sweets?
Sharing
- Why do you think Dad chose to wait until everyone was together before bringing out the laddoos?
- Imagine if the laddoos had been shared unfairly. How would that change the mood of the story?
- What other things, besides food, can families and friends share during celebrations that make them special?
Feelings
- The children feel curious, impatient and excited while looking for the missing laddoos. Which of these feelings have you had at a festival or birthday?
- How do our feelings change when we wait for something we really want? Can waiting sometimes make the moment feel even better?
- What do you think the children felt when the laddoos disappeared again at the end? How would you have reacted?
Buy the paperback
Screen-Free Reading
Love the story? Own the book
Visit the Storyberries Bookstore
PS: Your support means the world to us! When you make a purchase through an Amazon link, we may earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. This helps us spread the magic of free stories to children across the globe. Thank you for being a part of the Storyberries family!
FAQs about ‘Where Did the Laddoos Go? A Diwali Story’
What is ‘Where Did the Laddoos Go?’ about?
This story follows Dua, Rishi and their friends as they search for missing laddoos during Diwali celebrations. Along the way, children explore decorations like rangoli, mango-leaf streamers, marigold garlands and lamps, while counting from one to ten. It’s a playful mystery with a cultural twist that ends in laughter when the sweets disappear yet again!
What themes are explored in the story?
The book celebrates celebration, family togetherness and cultural traditions. It also highlights emotions like anticipation, curiosity and joy. Children will see how sharing and patience can make festivals even more meaningful.
What are laddoos, and why are they important in the story?
Laddoos are round, golden sweets made with flour, sugar, ghee and spices. They are a favourite treat during Indian celebrations and symbolise abundance and joy. In the story, the laddoos create a fun mystery that keeps everyone guessing until the final moment when they disappear once more!
What cultural traditions appear in the story?
Children will see colourful traditions such as drawing rangolis on the floor, hanging marigold garlands, stringing mango-leaf streamers and lighting lamps. These decorations are an important part of Diwali, symbolising beauty, welcome and the victory of light over darkness.
What lessons can children learn from this story?
The story gently teaches patience, fairness and the joy of sharing. It also shows that celebrations are about more than just food: they’re about togetherness, creativity and making memories. Children may reflect on how waiting can make rewards feel more special.
How can parents use this story at bedtime?
Parents can enjoy the playful mystery of the disappearing laddoos while encouraging children to join in the counting from one to ten. At bedtime, the story’s rhythm and repetition make it soothing yet engaging. Parents can also pause to discuss the colourful decorations, helping kids connect the story to real-life traditions.
How can teachers use this story in the classroom?
Teachers can use the counting pattern for early maths practice and introduce cultural vocabulary like “rangoli,” “ghagra” and “bhaiya.” The story works well for lessons on celebrations, multicultural understanding or sharing. Creative activities could include chalk rangoli drawings or making paper garlands.
Who are the main characters?
Dua and her brother Rishi are the central characters. Dua is playful and a little secretive, while Rishi is curious and determined. Their friends and family — including Dad, Mum and Lisa — join the search, making the story feel lively and full of teamwork.
What kinds of activities or crafts can extend the story?
Children can design their own rangolis with chalk or crayons, string marigold-style paper flowers or role-play the laddoo mystery with bowls and pretend sweets. Counting activities, such as matching numbers to objects from the story, reinforce early numeracy skills. Parents and teachers can also explore simple Diwali recipes together, like rolling laddoos at home.
What age group is this story best for?
‘Where Did the Laddoos Go?’ is ideal for early readers aged 3–7 years. Younger children will enjoy the rhythm and repetition, while older children can appreciate the cultural details and join in with counting games. It works well for both read-aloud sessions and independent early reading.
Credits
This story was brought to life by these awesome real humans!
- Written by: Prarthana Gururaj
- Illustrated by: Clara Dee
- Edited by: Jade Maitre
- Read-aloud voice: Jade Maitre
- Music video from “Derp Nugget” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Mystery Bazaar” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com), “Hidden Wonders” Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com). Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 4.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
The post Where Did The Laddoos Go? A Diwali Story first appeared on Bedtime Stories.
