Just then Roopa woke up. She did not find Ladli by her side.
She looked around and saw Ladli standing beside the used leaf- plates. Then to her horror, she saw Kaki picking crumbs from the leaftovers and eating them. Roopa was stunned and ashamed.

She lifted her hands towards heaven and prayed for mercy. ' How cruel I have been! Today was my son's engagement. Hundreds of people feasted. But I could not feed an old helpless women.' Roopa lit a lamp and went into her storeroom. She piled a trasy with food and took it to Kaki.

'Kaki, come and eat,' she said to her with tears in her eyes, ' I have committed a great blunder today. Forgive me.'

It was already midnight. The sky was filled with stars Just as innocent children forget a rebuke after receiving a gift of sweets, Kaki ate, forgetting everything. Good wishes flowed from Kaki and Roopa delighted at the sight of her relishing the meal.