Palesa can’t sleep.
It’s her birthday tomorrow.
She’s one year old!
All her friends will bring her lots of presents.
Seth will bring a...
What will Seth bring?
A rattle!
And Sandile?
A drum!
But what about Aunty Mamsie?
Oh, she’ll bring a cake, balloons,
a trumpet, a talking doll, a computer, and ... and ... and ...
LOOK! Palesa’s fast asleep...
TRII-IING-TRII-IING!
“Happy birthday!”
comes from the door.
“Come in! Come in!”
Mommy shouts.
On her stool, Palesa’s eyes
grow bigger and bigger.
Over there, against the wall,
the pile of toys grows and
grows and grows.
“Mine!” Palesa screams.
“Mine!” she waves her angry arms.
But everybody’s busy playing.
“MINE!” And, with one big heave,
pushes herself up. She goes
and gathers the toys.
Everybody stops.
Then they all clap their hands.
“Hurray! Palesa can walk!”
Look! Now everyone is happy.
Palesa is happy to play with her friends.
Warwick Buttress- Direct Axis
