A cloud of gloom had descended on the village of Madlapur. LaxmiBhai’s passing away is a black day in the history of our village, opined the mourning elders. Schools were closed, but the children weren’t happy and weren’t seen running around. They seemed as affected as the elders.

Moni was an eight-year-old girl. Her mom had woken her up late that morning as schools were not working. Moni was overjoyed at the holiday, but she started crying when her brother told her that the train set, she had so wanted, wasn’t going to be in her hands next week. She ran to her mom.

“Brother says that I won’t get the toy train set!” she told her mom.

“No, Moni. You won’t!”

“Would brother and my friend Ritu also not get their gifts?”

“No.”

“But we have shown good behaviour this year. Doesn’t Mata-di-Mata bless us with gifts of our choice every year if we are good throughout the year? Why would she miss this year?”

Her mother replied, “Laxmibai, the elderly Mata of our village was our messenger to Mata-di-Mata, and she sent the behavioural reports of children to her. Mata-di-Mata will review those and then place the gifts by the children's bedside on the last day of the Durga Puja Festival. Alas, Laxmibai passed away this morning and hence the loss of gifts.”

Moni's face was forlorn and her mother’s heart broke. Moni’s mother had also been born and brought up in the village and knew the legend of Mata-Di-Mata. While young she believed the legend of Mata-di-Mata, but as she grew up she understood, that Laxmibai was the benefactor who gave the gifts. It was a secret every adult guarded.

Mata-Di-Mata was loved by children and due to the continuous good behaviour during childhood, Madlapur produced good citizens and many eminent workers who shone in various fields. It was a model village for West Bengal.

Moni walked to the puja place in her house and took the letter she had written to Mata-Di-Mata. Moni took a pencil and wrote below the already existing lines in her childish handwriting.

Mata-Di-Mata, Laxmibhai has gone away from us, and she is with you now. So it would be easier to get the report on my behaviour from her. I would love for the toy train set to be yellow colour 😊.

Moni placed the letter in front of Goddess Durga and prayed with a powerful belief in God and Mata-Di-Mata.

A week later, one fine morning, the children were up early, and shouts of laughter and joy were heard from every house. They all had their gifts by the bedside. The elders were bewildered. Laxmibhai hadn’t handed them the gifts. How did the gifts appear? Was it magic? Did Mata-Di-Mata keep them there?

The elders and children rushed to the temple and prayed. There were chants of Hail Ma Durga! Hail Mata-Di-Mata! Hail Laxmibhai!

 Moni stood there chanting loudly, the yellow train set in her hand.