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All Ornaments" 60. "More Beautiful Than All Ornaments" During
his tour of Southern India in connection with the anti-
untouchability movement, an incident took place in Badagara in
Malabar which visibly moved Gandhiji. In response to his appeal
at the public meeting there a girl named Kaumudi came forward
and gave up her bangles. Although Gandhiji was satisfied with it
the girl was not. She then took out her gold chain from her neck
and gave it to him. Gandhiji thought that the presentation would
end there. But the girl was not to be stopped. Her hands almost
unconsciously traveled to her ears and a pair of beautiful
jewelled ear-rings were passed on to him. This incident, said
the Mahatma later, touched his heart and gave him fresh
inspiration. He had tried to conceal his emotion, but he could
not say how far he succeeded. Gandhiji asked if the girl had her
parents' consent for this presentation. Her father was only
pleased. All the girl asked fo