Premlata can hardly wait for Diwali, the Festival of Lights. On that night, the great Goddess Kali goes out to battle the demons of darkness. And all over India, people set out deepas--tiny lamps shaped like leaves--to help Kali in her fight.

But Premlata's family is poor, and Mamoni, her mother, has been forced to sell their deepas. Prem knows she must do something. After all, their house can't be the only one in darkness on the night of the Festival of Lights!