"Oh!" exclaimed Mr. Ray N. Drops "Is it an UMBRELLA?" 
"Yes!" said Toby. "It was an umbrella!" 
"Okay!" said Mr. Drops. "Let's try the last one now!" 

The townspeople looked at the last word and Toby sighed. "I don't remember what he said about this one except that this was the most special one of all. He said would be most happy if he had this at his party." 
"That's all you can remember?" they asked. 
Toby looked sad. "That's all I can remember. Oh dear!" 

They spent a little while longer trying to figure out the final word, but it was getting late and it was almost dinnertime, so everyone went back to their houses and told Toby not to worry. The king would understand. 

The next day was the party. Everyone arrived at the castle with the gifts for the king. 
The king walked into the throne room and smiled. 
Toby looked a little nervous…he was still a little upset that he did not get the most important item on the list for the king! 

One by one the townspeople came up to the king and gave him his presents. 
The king smiled as he saw his brand new red toothbrush. "I'll use this right after I eat my birthday cake!" 
He saw his new yellow canary and whistled a song with the bird as it sang. 
He picked up his blue umbrella and was happy to see that it was big enough to share with someone on a rainy day. 

After opening the third gift he stood up and smiled and thanked the townspeople for making this a wonderful birthday. But Toby came running up to the king. "I am so sorry!" he told the king. "I wanted to bring you everything on the list, but the list fell into a puddle and I couldn't read the last word.  All I remember was that the fourth item was supposed to be the most important one on the list and that it was what you most wanted to see on your birthday." 

The king smiled. "Whatever do you mean, Toby? You did bring me everything on my birthday list. I have a brand new toothbrush to keep my teeth clean, a new canary who will keep the castle cheery with its happy songs, and a new umbrella, big enough to share with a friend who might find themselves in the rain without an umbrella." 

The king continued, "And, you also did bring the most important item on that list. It's right here in this very room!" 

Toby opened his eyes very wide and looked at the last item on the birthday list again… 

4. _ _ _ _ N _ S 

But, he still couldn't figure out what it was. 

"What is the answer?" Toby asked. "What did you most want to see on your birthday?" 

The king looked around the room at the townspeople. 
He smiled and said, "Although birthday parties, birthday gifts are nice, what I am happiest about is the fact that I am sharing this day with all of you - the final and most important item on my list……my
FRIENDS."

 


The story and ideas are © 2000 Jennifer A Schultz (Jen's Sunny Corner)
All Rights Reserved.