SCHOOL TIMES : Birthday delight

I woke up excitedly that morning. It was my birthday and I was four. Wagging my tail, I went to Mark’s room, only to find that my master was asleep. I waited at the door expecting a birthday wish the first thing when he woke up. However, that wish didn’t come. When Mark woke up and saw me eagerly waiting, he just gave me a pat and headed for the bathroom.

Still excited, I went downstairs to the kitchen. I had expected something special for breakfast, but all I got was my usual biscuits. Mark had clearly forgotten my birthday. I was hurt.

I spent the entire day wandering around the house, while Mark was off to work. I was disappointed at him for forgetting my birthday, and didn’t even go to receive him when the door cracked open in the evening.

To my surprise, Mark wasn’t the only one to walk in. There was my best friend Tommy, the twins next door, Wendy the cat, Jane my soccer partner, and Kim, the squirrel.

Mark stood at the end, holding a large cake. “Happy birthday, Jack,” he said handing me a bone, and the rest of them sang the birthday song for me.

I woofed in delight. It was the best birthday I ever had, and Mark certainly is the best master one could ever have.

— Sadichchha Pokharel, Class X, St Mary’s

High School