Little Ted was going to a party. It was his friend Alex’s birthday and he had invited some friends to help him celebrate and have fun.
“When can we go to the party? Are we leaving soon?“ Little Ted asked his Mummy.
“Quite soon Little Ted, but first you need to help me wrap a present for Alex. Do you want to see what we’re giving him?”
“Yes” Little Ted said “what is it?”
His Mummy reached into a bag and brought out a large box. “It’s a game” she said “have you ever played Hungry Hippos? You’ve got to press a lever and try to gobble up all the marbles.”
Little Ted had a quick think but couldn’t remember playing that game although it sounded lots of fun.
“Now, which wrapping paper will we use. The one with the monkeys on it or the one with spaceships?”
Little Ted chose the monkey paper and then helped hold the edges in place while his Mummy put sticky tape on it. Next with his Mummy’s help, he signed Alex’s birthday card with a big L and big T for Little Ted. Then he went and put on his Cheeky Monkey t-shirt and brushed his hair.
“Ready” Little Ted said “can we go now?”
Alex lived nearby but the party wasn’t at his house. Instead Little Ted and his Mummy went to the local community centre. Inside, the hall had been decorated with a banner saying “Happy Birthday Alex” and lots of balloons. Alex came to meet them with a big “Birthday Boy” badge on his shirt.
Little Ted suddenly felt shy, and he tried to hide behind his Mummy’s legs. With a big of coaxing he gave Alex his present:
“Happy Birthday, here’s your present” Little Ted said, speaking very quietly.
“Thanks. Come and play with the balloons” said Alex and he took Little Ted’s hand.
His Mummy stood chatting with the other Mummies and Daddies and watched as Little Ted and the other children played lots of games. While they were playing pass the parcel Little Ted was disappointed that the music never seemed to stop when he had the parcel and everyone else was getting a turn at ripping off the paper off. But then, just as the parcel had shed so many layers that it had got really small, the music stopped and Little Ted was holding it!! Excitedly he ripped off the paper, discovered that it was the final layer and he had won the toy inside. He ran to his Mummy to show her what he had won – “Look Mummy its some green slime.”
Next it was time for Alex to blow out the candles on his cake as everyone sang Happy Birthday. Little Ted joined in but couldn’t stop himself adding some new words
“Happy Birthday to you,
You were born in a zoo
You look like a monkey
and you smell like one too”
Little Ted sang, giggling loudly, while his Mummy pretended she didn’t hear Little Ted’s alternative lyrics.
He was still over-excited when it came to the final party game, musical statues. This meant he found it really hard to stand still when the music stopped and burst out laughing when Alex’s Dad came round making funny faces.
“Sorry Little Ted, you’re out. Go and help yourself to a piece of birthday cake from the table by the door.”
At the end of the party after saying thank you to Alex, his Mummy and Daddy, Little Ted walked back chattering on about how much fun he’d had.
“I’m glad you had a good time,” said his Mummy “although judging by the way you demolished that birthday cake I think you turned into a Hungry Hippo at the party”.
The End