Rebbeca’s Tenth Birthday

The day Rebbeca had been waiting for had finally arrived. It was her tenth birthday. Rebbeca had spent hours and hours making arrangements for this very special day. She wanted everything to be perfect.

She had invited six of her close friends to her house for an afternoon of fun, games and entertainment. Out of this group, Rebbeca was most excited to spend time with her best friend, Sara. The two girls had made all the decorations together. They had even decided to wear the matching yellow dress stitched for them by Rebbeca’s grandmother. They thought that they would look like princesses.

Rebbeca’s Tenth Birthday

Rebbeca looked at the clock and realized that it was already two o’ clock. Her guests would be arriving any minute now Rebbeca wondered what gifts she would receive. What she wanted the most was a new pencil box. Before she could spend any more time thinking, the bell rang. One by one, guests started coming in. A game of hide and seek started and every one started running across the grass.

The sound of laughter and screams filled the air as they ran around trying to catch one another. The decorations were appreciated and the food was enjoyed. Rebbeca was participating in the fun, but she did not feel truly happy. Everyone was there except Sara. Rebbeca felt betrayed that her best friend had not attended her birthday celebration. “I’m never going to speak to her again’, she thought. For the next two days at school, Rebbeca avoided Sara as much as she could.

Rebbeca’s Tenth Birthday

She even asked the teacher to change her seat so she would not have to sit next to Sara. This was the longest the two girls had ever gone without speaking to each other. On the third day of their fight, Rebbeca returned home from school to see her mother going somewhere. Good thing you’re here my daughter, I’m leaving for Sara’s house. I’m sure she must have told you that her mother has been very sick.” said Rebbeca’s mother

Suddenly, Rebbeca felt a horrible sense of shame and guilt. She understood why Sara had not been able to attend her birthday. She felt like the worst friend in the world for ignoring Sara when she needed her the most. She ran after her mother, arriving at Sara’s house breathless and upset. When Sara saw Rebbeca come in, her eyes lit up with happiness.

“I’m so sorry for my behaviour Sara, I didn’t know. I was just being selfish because you didn’t come to my birthday. I didn’t even bother to ask you why.” said Rebbeca, with tears in her eyes.

Rebbeca’s Tenth Birthday

The two girls hugged and Sara explained that her mother caught a bad case of food poisoning on the morning of Rebbeca’s birthday. She said she had tried to explain this situation to Rebbeca many times in school, but she had not been able to. After telling Rebbeca this, Sara shyly showed her what was in her hands. It was a lovely, colourful pencil box exactly the kind Rebbeca wanted.

When Rebbeca looked at her present, she realized how rare true friends are. She understood the importance of understanding and always listening before she judged. She promised herself never to let her anger get the better of her, and always keep Sara close to her heart. Without realizing it, Sara had taught her these important lessons. After all, what else are friends for?