Naveen Selvanathan

Maya is only three days into her summer vacation, and she is already entirely bored. Looking out her window, she watches her bustling neighborhood coming and going. People are earning, spending, fixing, and mending. Everyone around her has busy hands and an important job to do. When Maya opens her own small palms, they look completely empty. You might wonder exactly what little hands can do in such a big, busy world. As Maya watches her neighbors proclaim truth, stand up for justice, and show deep mercy, she begins to understand the beautiful Indian custom of namaste, which means I bow to you. She soon discovers that even the smallest children hold incredible power. Empty hands can offer the most useful and profound gift of all, which is the gift of love.