Eid morning in Old Delhi! The streets smelled of sheer korma, sewaiyan, and biryani. Families dressed in new clothes headed to the mosque for prayers.

Ten-year-old Zain counted his Eidi money carefully. Grandparents, uncles, aunties — everyone had given him notes and coins. Total: 1,500 rupees!

“What will you buy?” asked his friend Amir. “A cricket bat? A video game? New shoes?”

Zain looked at his Ammi. She was wearing the same faded salwar kameez she’d worn for three Eids. She never bought anything for herself — she always spent everything on the children.

“I know what I want to buy,” said Zain quietly.

After prayers, while Ammi was busy making sewaiyan, Zain slipped out with his Eidi money. He went to the fabric shop in Chandni Chowk.

“Bhaiya, I want to buy cloth for a salwar kameez. For my Ammi,” said Zain, placing his money on the counter.

The shopkeeper looked at the boy and smiled. “For your mother? You’re a good boy.” He gave Zain beautiful blue fabric with silver embroidery — and even gave a small discount.

At home, Zain wrapped the fabric in newspaper (he couldn’t afford gift wrap!) and placed it before Ammi.

“What is this?” asked Ammi, surprised.

“Eid Mubarak, Ammi. This is for you. You always give us everything. Today, I want to give YOU something.”

Ammi opened the package. When she saw the beautiful fabric, her eyes filled with tears.

“Zain… this is your Eidi money! You should have bought something for yourself!”

“Making you happy IS for myself, Ammi,” said Zain. “Your smile is the best Eidi I can get.”

Ammi hugged him tight. “This is the most precious gift I have ever received. Not because of the fabric — but because of the love wrapped inside it.”

That Eid, Zain had no new toy or cricket bat. But he had something better — his Ammi’s happiest smile.