Devika had looked forward for weeks to the International Convention, especially the banquet where the delegates would wear their national costumes. Although she’d lived in England since childhood, she was proud of her Tamil heritage and loved the occasions when she could wear a traditional saree.
Devika landed at the airport - but her luggage didn’t. ‘It could take days’, explained an airline official. Too late, of course, for the banquet. At the hotel, Devika tried to reconcile herself to wearing the clothes she’d travelled in, or a cheap dress from the small, local supermarket.
At lunch on the day of the banquet, she sat at a table with a group of other delegates – all women - who soon noticed that she was upset. When they asked her what was wrong, she told them about the lost suitcase and the saree.
‘But, darling!’ exclaimed a beautifully dressed Indian woman, ‘I’m a fashion designer and brought three sarees I designed with me. Come up to my room and take your pick!’.
Everyone at the banquet that evening agreed that the saree Devika wore as she crossed the plush carpet was the most elegant dress in the banqueting hall.
