Wednesday, February 29, 2012

The Birthday Present

The 'not so little' Alfie, as he now weighs as much as Mango, has been with Mr and Mrs Noah at The Ark for nearly a year now. So, in the days leading up his birthday, Mrs Noah was trying to find the most suitable and loving present that she could. She sat Mr Noah down and ran through her list of ideas, desperate for his input because she knew he was old and wise and would help find the perfect gift!

“How about a ball for him to chase?” Mrs Noah suggested.

“No, he has four already.”

“Well, how about a new collar and lead, then?”

“I don’t think so. His old one is still in good order.”

“Ok, how about a new drinking bowl? One with his name on it?”

“That wouldn’t work. He and Mango share bowls anyway, as well as the cats’ bowls! Anyway, he can’t read, can he?”

“Oh, I don’t know then. Do you have any ideas as to what to get him?”

“Um, well, I might have one or two...”

“Oh, do tell, clever Mr Noah. What ideas do you have?”

“Ah, I can’t really tell you because you will think it’s silly and not suitable, but don’t forget, I know my little Alfie. Sorry, my big Alfie!” So, it came to be that the purchase of Alfie’s birthday present was left in the capable hands of Mr Noah.

The big day arrived and Mrs Noah rushed out of bed to wish Alfie a Happy 1st Birthday, but she couldn’t find him. “Mr Noah, have you seen Alfie?”

“Why, yes,” he said. “He is on the back stoep with his birthday present.”

“Oh, that’s good. I’ll go and see him there, then.” Now, if Mrs Noah had been looking carefully at that time she would have seen Mr Noah sneaking off in the other direction looking a bit concerned.

Suddenly, a loud shout was heard in the Ark. “Mr Noah, what have you given to Alfie?”

“Oh, that?” said Mr Noah. “It’s the perfect present for him! I bought him something special.” And with that Mr Noah ran off quickly into his den and started to look busy. A few seconds later, he heard:

“You didn’t need to get him the whole head!”

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