At the next corner, a singer sang the tale of Sita, and even Kavya stopped wiggling. She sat by Kiran’s knees, clutching her doll, while the song told how Sita stayed strong through fear, loss, and long waiting.

Vivaan leaned close and asked, “Was Sita brave only in the forest?” Master Raghav tapped his puppet satchel and said, “No, beta. She was brave each time she chose truth.”

Vivaan grew quiet after that, as if the words had landed right in his pouch.