After washing, Mandy put on clothes Rima gave her.
She wore loose pants and a shirt that almost came to her knees.
Vinnie also dressed in a long shirt.
But he wore a skirt that went all the way to his ankles!
"Time to eat," Rishi's father announced.
The family gathered around the stove.
Vinnie and Mandy joined them.
Rishi's family closed their eyes and began to chant quietly.
They put their hands together.
Then, the family threw rice grains into the fire.
"They're praying," whispered Mandy to Vinnie.
After the prayer, Rishi brought out a bowl of water.
He and Rima sat beside their father and washed his feet.
"I guess this is a sign of respect," whispered Vinnie.
"Maybe we should wash Dad's feet too," he joked.
Mandy giggled.
Finally, the food was served.
Rishi's father sat on a mat, cross-legged on the floor.
His wife put rice onto a large banana leaf for him.
"Does your mother always serve your father food?" Vinnie asked Rishi.
"Of course," he replied.
"It is our custom.
Now we must serve our mother."
The children washed their hands, and their mother sat beside their father.
Then Rishi and Rima served rice to their mother.
"Children eat last," said Rishi.
He gave rice to Vinnie and Mandy and they sat on a mat.
"How do I eat this?" Mandy asked.
She had no spoon or fork.
"Like this," said Rima, picking up the rice with her hand.
Vinnie and Mandy tried to copy her, but most of the rice ended up on the floor.
Everyone laughed.
Then, without warning, a large cow walked right into the porch!
"Hey!" cried Mandy.
She dropped her rice and hid behind her brother.
"Get away! Move!"
Vinnie got up and waved his arms at the cow.
The cow looked at him with big, bored eyes.
"You mustn't . . . ," Rishi cried.
Vinnie slapped the cow's back, and it mooed loudly.
Mandy wondered why Rishi's family wasn't doing anything.
"Get away! Shoo!"
Vinnie grabbed a stick lying against the wall and poked the cow.
Suddenly, a man ran into the porch.
He saw Vinnie poke the animal.
"What are you doing to my cow?" he shouted.
"Please, Babu Yadav," Rishi's father said, trying to calm the man.
Rishi grabbed the stick from Vinnie.
"Stop!" cried Rishi.
"What's the matter?" asked Vinnie.
"That boy! He hit my cow!
I'm telling the king!" Babu Yadav shouted.
"What is he talking about?" asked Vinnie, confused.
"Vinnie! Cows are sacred animals.
We never treat them badly," said Rishi.
"Even if they come into your house?" asked Vinnie.
"There is great punishment for those who harm cows," Rishi said seriously.
"The king will hear about this!" Babu Yadav cried.