Jem`s Birthday

Jem’s Birthday
by Jamie Harbison
It was the night before his birthday and Jem could barely sleep. He had no idea what he
was getting from his parents but he knew it would be big. He had not seen any boxes in
any cupboards (he had looked) and there wasn't any wrapping paper lying around. He
just knew by the excited look his mother had in her eyes when she kissed him
goodnight that it was going to be a very special birthday indeed. He turned on to his
side to get more comfortable and drifted off to sleep with a smile on his face.
He woke up the next morning just as the sun peeked its cheery face over the distant
hills. Jem still wore the same smile with which he had fallen asleep. The rest of the
house was still quiet so he had to wait before he could get out of bed. His Mom always
used to say to him: ‘When you wake up early, Jem, turn around and go back to sleep’
but he was bursting with excitement and he just could not wait. He stretched over and
pulled the curtain open to see what kind of day it would be. It was just about light and,
as far as he could see, there was not a cloud in sight. It was sheer torture for him to
have to be so still but he did not want to make a noise and wake his parents up.
Luckily he did not have to wait very much longer because, just when he thought he
could not stand it any longer, he heard the door to his parents' room open with a soft
"click". Jem bolted out of bed and ran into the hall, almost knocking his mother over as
she tiptoed to the kitchen.
"You're up early, my precious little elfling. Is it somebody's birthday?" she teased.
“It’s mine, it’s mine!” said Jem, laughing and he hugged her fiercely.
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"Let's make Dad some tea and then we will see if he has anything planned for today,"
said Mom as they walked into the kitchen together. Mom got the cups and teapot ready
while Jem put the milk and sugar on the tray. He was too excited to carry it without
spilling so he had to let his Mom take the tea to the bedroom.
"Can I go in now?" pleaded Jem, waiting anxiously by the door.
"Knock first," said Mom, not wanting Jem to forget his manners. He knocked loudly on
the door and waited breathlessly for his Dad to answer.
"Is that the birthday boy?" asked his Dad through the door.
"Yes it is!" grinned Jem.
"I think you should get in here then," replied Dad. His words were barely out of his
mouth when Jem flung the door open and jumped on the bed. He cuddled up to his Dad
as Mom came in and carefully set the tea tray on the bedside table.
Jem was sure they got him a present but he did not say anything because his Mom had
taught him never to expect anything from another elf, even if it was your birthday. He
just sat there next to his Dad, brimming with joy.
"What is that behind the cupboard there, Jem?" asked Dad with a smile.
"Where?" asked Jem eagerly. He bounced off the bed, nearly knocking the tea tray
over. He looked behind the cupboard where Dad was pointing and found his present,
carefully hidden. It was wrapped in shiny green paper with a great big orange bow. It
was long and thin, and felt strange underneath the wrapping. He opened it quickly,
tearing the paper and dropping the bow on the floor as he went. When he saw what it
was, he whooped with delight: a brand new fishing rod! It was exactly what he had
wanted. It came complete with a reel, line and a fully loaded tackle box. There were
sinkers, floats and hooks of all kinds in there and Jem was overjoyed with his gift.
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"Thank you Mom, Thank you Dad," he said, giving them each a kiss.
"When can I go fishing?" he asked in earnest.
"You can go right after breakfast if you like," said Dad. He was very pleased that his
son was so happy.
After breakfast, Mom packed a basket of goodies while Jem and his Dad got the fishing
gear ready. Before long Jem was ready to go.
"Why don't you take your friend, Aelyn along with you?" asked Dad as Jem was
walking through the door.
"He doesn't even have a rod," said Jem. "And besides, I don't think he likes fishing
anyway." The truth was that Aelyn would probably love to go but, because Aelyn did
not have a rod, he would want to use Jem's. It was his present and he did not want to
have to share it with anybody. So off Jem went to the river, alone.
When he got there, he sat down underneath a shady tree and cast his line into the water.
It was a long time before he even got a nibble so he had some time to think about what
he had done. He discovered that he was not having a very good time at all and he was
very lonely without his best friend. Just when he was about to reel in the line, the float
ducked under the water and bobbed up again. Jem froze. The float disappeared again
and Jem yanked the rod as hard as he could. The fish was caught and gave a
tremendous struggle as Jem tried to reel it in. It leapt out of the water and came down
again with a tremendous splash. It was enormous and he wished Aelyn were there to
see it.
"Help!" he cried as he tried desperately to reel it in, but there was no one there. The
fish pulled Jem right to the edge of the water and with one last tug, Jem slipped and fell
Jem’s Birthday
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headfirst into the river. He let go of the rod as he went in and the fish got away.
Luckily the line broke as well so when the fish swam away, the rod just sank to the
bottom.
"Oh, no!" cried Jem, "My fishing rod!" He pulled himself out of the water and sobbed
against the tree. What was his Father going to say? Now he was in real trouble.
He picked up his basket and his tackle box and was just turning around to go home
when he saw Aelyn walking towards him.
"Hi Jem! Happy Birthday!" he said.
"Hello Al," Jem answered softly.
"Why are you so sad, Jem and why are you so wet?" asked Aelyn.
"I lost my brand-new fishing rod in the river," said Jem. He was really unhappy and a
little embarrassed that he had not invited his friend to come fishing with him.
"Can we go and find it?" asked Aelyn.
"It sank to the bottom," said Jem. "And I can't get it out by myself."
"That's what you have got me for, my friend," said Aelyn. "Let's go get it."
The two friends walked back to the river together and Jem realised how happy he was
when Aelyn was with him.
"I'm sorry I didn't ask you to come with me, Aelyn," said Jem, a little sheepishly.
"That's okay, Jem," said Aelyn.
Jem really had the best friend in the world. Aelyn was always ready to help and he was
not even a little bit cross for not being invited. Together the two elves got a long stick
and managed to get the rod from the bottom of the river. They spent the rest of the day
together taking turns and had a wonderful time.
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Jem learned a very important lesson that day. Sharing your toys with friends is the best
way to enjoy them.
THE END
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