Drake, the deer was a prankster. The animals who knew him well kept their distance from him, but others fell for his pranks.
One morning, he paid a visit to Gina, the goat’s house.
“Good morning, Gina! Today is my birthday but there’s no one at home to celebrate this special day with,” said Drake sadly.
Gina felt bad for him. “Don’t worry, Drake. You can celebrate it with me,” she consoled him. “Tell me, what shall I make for you?” asked Gina.
“I feel like having carrot pudding today. When my elder sister was around, she would always make carrot pudding for me on my birthday,” replied Drake.
“I’ll make carrot pudding for you. You just rest here in my house while I go to the market to buy some carrots,” said Gina and left immediately.
On her way to the market, Gina met Toby, the cat.
“Hey Gina, you seem to be in a hurry. What is the matter?”asked Toby.
“Today is Drake’s birthday and he has no one to celebrate it with. So I offered to celebrate it with him by making the carrot pudding that he was craving for. So I am off to the market to buy some carrots,” replied Gina.
“So, you are Drake’s target today!” said Toby with a knowing smile.
“What do you mean?” asked Gina puzzled.
“Gina, just last month he made Danny, the donkey throw a party for him citing the same reason,” explained Toby.
“I had no idea that he was such a fraud! What should I do now?” asked Gina.
Toby whispered something into Gina’s ear, and they both laughed. Gina then called Drake on his mobile phone.
“Hello Drake! I was thinking that since today is your birthday, why have just a pudding? I want i to throw a grand feast for you,” she told him.
Drake was doubly excited at the thought of more delicious food.
“I am here with Tippy, the squirrel who owns the best restaurant in the forest. I am going to hand over the phone to him; just give him a list of dishes you want to eat,” she said handing over the phone to Tippy.
“Tippy, please send over one box each of all you best dishes,” he said greedily, dreaming of the sumptuous spread.
After Drake got off the phone, he was about to lie down on the sofa to rest when the doorbell rang.
“Who could it be?” he wondered as he opened the door.
As soon as he opened the door, Drake was greeted by several animals—“Happy Birthday, Drake!” they all chorused.
“We didn’t know that today is your birthday!” said Mini, the sparrow. “Who told you?” asked Drake surprised and a bit nervous.
“Gina did. Now don’t think you can get away without treating us,” said Mini flying into the house, followed by all the other animals.
After a little while,Tippy and Gina also reached the house with packets of food. The two were setting up the table in the garden that was big enough to accommodate all the animals.
Drake took Gina aside and asked her “Gina! What is all this?”
“Since you felt bad about not having anyone to celebrate your birthday with, I thought it would be nice to invite all our friends. Now we can celebrate your birthday together,” said Gina.
“But why do you want to spend so much money?” asked Drake.
“I am not spending. You are!” she said and left to make arrangements, leaving Drake shocked.
Just then, Tippy invited everybody over to the table for the lunch.
Drake was feeling miserable knowing that he would have to pay for all the food. But he could not take it any longer.
“Friends, before you begin to eat, I need to tell you all something,” announced Drake.
“Today is not my birthday. I felt like having some carrot pudding this morning, so I lied to Gina,” he confessed.
“He lied to me as well,” said Danny. “Just last month, he made me throw a party for him.”
Drake hung his head in shame. “I didn’t know that I would have to pay such a heavy price for my habit of tricking people. Please forgive me. I will not trick people anymore,” apologised Drake.
“It is wrong to lie and cheat. We only played a prank on you to teach you a lesson,” said Toby.
“And don’t worry, Drake. You don’t have to fully bear the expense of the party. We’ll all be pooling in. It is after all April 1, so this is a Fool’s Day party!” said Gina.
Drake heaved a big sigh of relief and everyone continued to have fun.
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