In the traditional story of the Tamil poet-saint Andal, her father Periyalvar lovingly prepared a fresh flower garland each day for Lord Vishnu. Young Andal adored the Lord so deeply that, before the garland reached the temple, she would quietly wear it and look into a mirror, wondering whether she was offering her very best. When Periyalvar discovered this, he worried that a garland already worn by someone could not be offered. He prepared a new one instead. But tradition says Lord Vishnu appeared in his dream and asked for the garland Andal had worn, because it carried the sincerity of her devotion. Periyalvar then understood that a loving heart gives an offering its deepest beauty.