The Golden Sequin

Asiri woke up early. School was out. Just like on every break, Asiri would go with his uncle to his workshop. His Uncle Thad made costumes for — believe it or not — elephants!

For as long as he could remember, Asiri had been asking to help make the costumes. But each time, he’d been told he was too little and that his fingers weren’t steady or quick enough to sew the fine stitches needed for the elaborate costumes.

As he sipped his tea, Asiri smoothed the square of fabric beside him — his practice piece. Across it he had sewn, pulled out, and resewn stitches just as Uncle Thad had taught him. He couldn’t wait to show it to his uncle.

“Eat,” his mother scolded.

Asiri nibbled at his egg hopper. What’s taking Uncle Thad so long? he wondered.

When his uncle finally came over the hill, Asiri leapt from his seat. “Bye, Mom!” he called as he rushed out the door.

“Look, Uncle,” said Asiri, holding up the stitched cloth.

“These are fine stitches, Asiri,” said Uncle Thad, patting his shoulder. “Straight and small, just right to fix sequins onto velvet.”

Together they walked to the workshop. Along the way, Uncle Thad stopped to greet neighbors and share news with friends. It seemed he knew everyone, and they knew him. By the time he and Asiri arrived at the workshop, the seamstresses were already waiting.

Uncle Thad and his team had stitched for months to make the costumes. They had to be ready for Esala Perahera, the biggest festival held in the city of Kandy, Sri Lanka. It lasted for ten days, with a parade every day. Since the elephants were the stars of the parade, their costumes had to be dazzling. They were made of velvet and embroidered with Kandyan designs. Asiri’s favorite designs were of twin swans and lotus flowers. He especially loved the sequins sewn on them that made them sparkle.

The festival was only two weeks away. Today, Uncle Thad, his team, and now Asiri, would put the finishing touches on the costumes. Asiri hoped this might mean he’d get to sew a sequin onto the Maligawa Tusker’s costume. The Maligawa Tusker was the biggest and most important elephant in the parade.

All morning, Asiri helped the seamstresses. He brought them thread, cloth, and padding and watched as they stitched the designs.

After lunch, Asiri was putting away a bolt of fabric when his uncle called. “Asiri?”

“Yes, Uncle?”

“Please bring me the bin of golden sequins.”

Here was his chance, thought Asiri. Those sequins were for the Maligawa Tusker’s costume. He’d bring the bin to Uncle Thad and then ask to sew one on. Uncle Thad was sure to say yes. Asiri lifted the bin from the shelf and turned a little too quickly. A few sequins flew into the air. Uncle Thad had his back to Asiri, so he hadn’t seen. Thank goodness, thought Asiri. Uncle Thad always said that only careful fingers should move quickly in the workshop. Making the costumes for Esala Perahera took time and patience. Their beauty was not to be rushed.

Asiri eyed the smattering of shiny sequins scattered on the floor. He had to clean them up before Uncle Thad saw them. Asiri hurriedly knelt to set the bin down.

“Ow!” Stubbing his toe on a table leg, Asiri stumbled. The bin tilted. The seamstresses and Uncle Thad turned to stare — first at Asiri and then at the stream of shimmering golden sequins that spilled across the workshop floor.

Uncle Thad’s brow furrowed, and a frown pulled at his face. Asiri felt his cheeks turning red. How could he have been so clumsy? Now, Uncle Thad would never let him sew a single stitch — and certainly not a sequin — on the costumes this year. He might never let him help again.

Asiri dashed out the door, down the street, and all the way back home.

Hearing the rush of his footsteps, Asiri’s mother came to the door. “What’s wrong, Asiri?” she asked.

“I spilled the sequins!” he blurted, almost in tears.

“Did you clean them up?” she asked.

“No.”

“Go back and clean them up,” she said with a wave of her hand. “Uncle Thad will expect you to.”

Asiri shook his head. But he knew it was only right to clean up a mess he’d made. It was one of Uncle Thad’s workshop rules.

“You wanted to help,” said his mother. “Go help.”

As he trudged back toward the workshop, Asiri avoided his neighbors’ glances. He was sure that everyone knew of his carelessness, his clumsiness. When he got to the workshop, Asiri peered in its doorway. Uncle Thad wasn’t there, but the sequins were. They lay scattered across the floor, waiting for him. He’d clean them up and return home. Asiri didn’t want to see the disappointment in his uncle’s face.

The seamstresses busied themselves with their work, while Asiri gathered the sequins into a pile and swept them into a dustpan. Embarrassed, Asiri kept his head down as he poured the sequins into a sieve. Carefully, he shook it, separating the dust from the sequins.

Only when the last sequin slipped into the bin and settled among the others did Asiri glance up. Uncle Thad stood in the doorway with his arms crossed. But instead of a frown, a smile brightened his face.

“I’ve been searching everywhere for you, Asiri. Yet, I find you here.” He chuckled. “I should have known.” Crossing the room, he squeezed Asiri’s shoulder. “Good workers always clean up after themselves.” He clapped his hands. “Now, come. There are costumes to finish and...” He cocked his head toward Asiri and winked. “Sequins to sew.”

Asiri’s smile was wider than his face as he stitched the first golden sequin onto the design decorating the maroon velvet of the Maligawa Tusker’s headpiece.