Short Story About the Importance of Acceptance and Humane Values
“Hi mommy, what should I do on my birthday?” asked little five-year-old Selena. “Well cutie, what about a big birthday party at the ladies club?” Questioned Wendy, her mom. “Can we have a small party here in our garden, mommy? I’ll invite a few of my class friends and my best friend forever Nina and her family,” begged Selena.
“Sure, if that’s what you want,” smiled Wendy. “Grandpa and grandma are coming this evening and will be staying for a few days,” added Wendy. “Oh!that is wonderful. Is Trina coming too?” asked Selena. “Yes and she will be a great help for our cook,” replied her mom.
“Where is daddy? I have to plan the party with him,” asked Selena. “Well, sweetie, he has a meeting and will come late,” replied Wendy. The bell rang and Mia, the cook answered the door. Grandma and grandpa had arrived. Peter, the driver brought in their bags and informed everyone that he was going to fetch his master from office.
“Hello granny, hello grandpa, good you can help me plan my birthday party,” said Selena, giving them a hug. “Sure darling, we will.” Trina took them to the guest room to freshen up for tea. “Don’t worry about the unpacking. I will arrange your belongings ma’am, just after tea. Please freshen up and I’ll arrange the tea things in the patio,” smiled Mia.
“Ask Trina to help you with tea. She must be with Selena, already opening up her treasure of fairy tales. My granddaughter loves listening to Trina’s magical stories,” said grandma. Sure enough, Selena was listening to her favourite story, while Trina was busy putting the kettle on for tea. “Good to see you, Trina,” smiled Mia, giving her friend a warm hug.
When Selena, at last, left the kitchen reluctantly to go to the patio for tea, she found her father Jerry, seated at the table. “Hi daddy, mommy said you were in a meeting,” chirped Selena, giving him a kiss.
“The meeting got cancelled, honey,” replied her father. While everyone was having tea cakes and sandwiches, Selena wanted to know if her garden party plan with a few selected people was agreeable to the others. “Why not, if that is your desire sweetie pie,” announced Jerry. Selena turned her attention to her grandparents.”
“What did you get me for my birthday grandma?” asked Selena, excitedly. “It’s a secret. You will find out on your birthday,” smiled grandpa. “However, your grandma got you a pre-birthday surprise gift. Do you want to know what that is?” he asked. “Yes, oh yes! Please tell me,” cried the little girl. “Go and check it out. Trina has it,” laughed grandpa. Selena ran into the kitchen where Mia and Trina were keeping the tea things. “Trina, grandpa asked you to give me my gift. Please show it to me,” chirped Selena.
“Come with me,” smiled Trina and holding the little girl’s hand, took her to the guest room. She took out a gaily wrapped parcel from the closet and gave it to Selena. “I’ll open it in front of grandma,” shouted Selena, running off. The packet revealed a big teddy bear with a tiny one sitting on its lap. They were wearing blue clothes and pink hats and had an identical bunch of blue and pink flowers in their hands.
“Oh!they are adorable,” shouted Selena, hugging them to her heart. She ran to her grandparents. “Thank you, granny, I love them.” Both granny and grandpa smiled big smiles. Selena threw her arms around both of them laughing happily. Wendy discussed the menu with her mom and both Trina and Mia gave their suggestions.
The menu was decided upon and preparations began for the party to be held the next day. Dan, the gardener decorated the flower vases and arranged tables and chairs in the garden for the party. Peter helped too and their efforts were appreciated by one and all. Nina came in the morning to spend the day with her friend on her special day. Her house help, Josie came too.
“I will be in charge of club sandwiches and salad. Is that ok with you two?” “You make the best club sandwiches in the world. I’ll happily let you manage those,” replied Mia. The three girls got busy in the kitchen and by five, everything was ready. Jam cookies and chicken quiche were prepared by Trina and Mia had made a huge vanilla cake, fish cutlets, and mutton rolls.
“Everything looks and smells wonderful,” said Wendy, walking inside the kitchen. “Thank you, girls, you will all get well-deserved surprise gifts later,” beamed Wendy. “You had better be getting ready ma’am. The guests will be arriving soon,” spoke Mia. “I have ironed and readied your outfit and your shoes and accessories are ready too,” she added.
“Thanks a ton, dear Mia. Josie go and help Selena and Nina please and Trina I’m sure mother will need you. I’m sure Mia can spare you for some time,” said Wendy, going off to her room. “Go along Trina and please help ma’am if she needs you,” advised Mia. “I will check on Wendy ma’am as soon as I have readied my mistress,” replied Trina. “What a lovely dress Selena. You will look really pretty this evening,” gushed her friend.
“Your outfit is pretty too. Let’s get ready,” said Selena, picking up her dress carefully. It was an Ivory and cream frock with pink embroidered flowers on the sleeves and a pink belt. Josie combed the girls’ hair and put butterfly hair clips.
Nina wore a rose coloured dress with matching shoes and a small purse. Both girls twirled in front of the mirror before leaving the room. Around six, Selena’s five classmates arrived. Annie, Viola, Judy, Sara, and Susan wished their friend a happy birthday and gave her a hug each, together with their gifts.
Soon after, the other guests arrived. Mr. Andrew and Mrs. Jacky were their nearest neighbours. They brought a big doll for Selena. The other neighbours came after that, two couples and an old lady with her companion. They handed over their gifts to Selena who thanked them, giving them her best smile.
Drinks were served and the children played pass the parcel, musical chairs and some indoor games. At seven, Selena came to her mom saying,” daddy is still not here, please call him mom,” “I already did but his phone is out of reach. Don’t worry, he will be here any minute now,” spoke Wendy. Half an hour passed, but Jerry was still missing.
“I’ll have to cut the cake mommy without daddy. My friends have to go back,” said Selena, making a sad face. “Yes, darling. It is not right to make everyone wait. Your father must have a very big reason otherwise he would never miss your birthday party,” spoke Wendy, moving towards the dining table.
“Due to some reason Jerry hasn’t come back from the office and I could not reach him on the phone too. I’m sorry guys but let’s start the party,” announced the hostess.
Selena cut the cake and everyone got busy enjoying the delicacies served. It was eight and everyone bid goodbye to Selena and her family and went home. Nina’s family were the last to leave.
At about nine, the bell rang. Selena was busy opening her gifts and playing with granny’s present, a toy train. Wendy opened the door and there stood Jerry, but not alone. He held the hand of a small girl of about two. She had blue eyes and curly golden hair. “Oh Jerry, who is this adorable cutie?” asked Wendy.
“Come inside and I’ll tell you everything,” replied her husband, with a smile. Everyone gathered around Jerry and the little girl.
“I was just leaving the office for the party when the phone rang. It was my friend Jimmy calling. He asked me to meet him. I came to know that Dream here is the daughter of his sister who died in a road accident and her husband did not want to be saddled with Dream. He had decided to put her in an orphanage but Jimmy offered to take her in. She stayed with him for six months but now he was leaving for Africa through his office for an assignment. Since Dream could not go with him, he wanted to know if we want her with us or she goes to the orphanage. I was undecided so brought her here to make a decision,” explained Jerry.
“Daddy, please don’t let her go. She will be my sister and I will look after her. She is a living doll and the best birthday present.” smiled Selena, holding Dream’s hand.
“What do you think Wendy?” asked Jerry. “I love the idea. Tomorrow we will begin proceedings to adopt her,” she added. Grandma and grandpa were all smiles. Mia took the little girl to the kitchen for some vanilla cake.
Photo by Joshua Hoehne on Unsplash
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