Songkran

Sawasdee. My name is Mali, and I live in the beautiful country of Thailand. Every year, I get so excited for my favorite holiday of all. It’s called Songkran, and it’s the Thai New Year. It is the best day because it means family, fun, and lots of happy splashes. The celebration starts every year on April 13th, when the weather is warm and sunny, perfect for what’s to come. For weeks, my friends and I talk about it. We pick out our best and brightest water pistols and get ready for the celebration. Songkran is a time when the whole country seems to smile at once. The streets are filled with cheerful music and delicious smells from food stalls. It’s a time to be thankful for the past year and to welcome the new one with a joyful heart and, of course, a big bucket of water.

On the morning of Songkran, my whole family wakes up early. The first thing we do is clean our entire house from top to bottom. My mom says we are sweeping out any bad luck from the old year to make room for all the good things the new year will bring. After our house is sparkling clean, we put on our new clothes and travel to the temple. It is so quiet and peaceful there. We carry small, shiny bowls filled with water that has flower petals floating in it, which makes it smell so sweet. We gently pour this water over the Buddha statues to show our respect and to ask for a good year. My favorite part is when I go to my grandparents. I kneel down and pour the sweet-smelling water over their hands. I say, “Sawasdee Pee Mai,” which means “Happy New Year.” They smile and give me a blessing for the year ahead. It makes my heart feel as warm as the sunshine.

After our quiet morning at the temple, the fun really begins. The calm, peaceful feeling turns into excitement that buzzes through the air. The streets of my town in Thailand turn into a giant, happy party. I grab my colorful water pistol, fill it to the top, and run outside to meet my friends. Everywhere you look, people are laughing and splashing each other. SPLASH. A big bucket of cool water surprises me, and I giggle as it drips down my face. I spot my friend and chase him down the street, squirting him with my water pistol. He laughs and squirts me right back. It doesn't matter if you are a kid or a grown-up, everyone joins in. There is loud, happy music playing, and people are dancing in the streets. It feels like the biggest, friendliest water fight in the whole wide world, and everyone is invited to play along.

Even though the water fight is super fun, the water means something very special to us. All the splashing isn't just a game. It is a symbol of washing everything clean for a fresh start. As the water washes the chalky powder some people put on our faces, it’s like we are washing away any sadness or mistakes from the year before. We are starting over, with a clean and happy heart. Songkran teaches us to share joy and kindness with everyone we meet. It’s a promise to ourselves and our community to make the new year a wonderful one. It is a celebration of new beginnings for everyone.