Rekha’s friends were excitedly talking about her forthcoming birthday party. Last year, her party had been the talk of the school as it had a rock band and food from The Taj. Therefore, everyone expected that this year’s party would be even better!
Rekha, however, was not keen to host a party on her birthday. She had a new classmate, Anita. The two girls found that they shared common interests. Soon, they were best friends, even though they had known each other for only three months. Their respective family backgrounds were as different as chalk and cheese. Rekha’s family could buy anything. For them, the sky was the limit. Anita’s family, however, had to curb unnecessary expenses. She got admission into Rekha’s school under the RTE quota. Anita knew her school expenses were high. Rekha was convinced that Anita would never attend a posh birthday party. So, she had to rethink her birthday plans.
“An unsolvable problem,” said Rekha to her mother.
“Do you throw a party to get gifts?” asked her mother.
“NO!”
“Then it is you who have to state firmly that no gifts are to be given,” said her mother. “You have everything you want in your cupboard. It’s time you disposed off unwanted stuff!”
Her last two words triggered a brilliant idea!
“I now know what to do! Thanks maa!” said Rekha, happily.
Gifts for all
Rekha told her friends to gift something they no longer wanted — a game, a book, a jigsaw puzzle, hair clips, earrings or anything else. The ‘gift’ just had to be in ‘good’ condition!
Anita’s mother had recently stitched two chiffon kurtis from her old saris. Anita decided to gift one kurti to Rekha.
Rekha’s birthday party was once again the talk of the school. She had invited a papier-mâché expert to teach her friends to make items using newspaper and home-made glue. He taught them how to make a turtle. The food was superb. Then Rekha stunned them by announcing she had a karaoke music system. Each girl got a chance to sing a song with a microphone!
At the end of the party, Rekha told them that their gifts were displayed on a table in her room.
“Each one of you can choose one. I am the birthday girl, so I get first choice!”
Rekha picked up Anita’s gift. Anita chose a Barbie doll. She had secretly always longed to possess one. She did not know that Rekha had told the other girls to leave the doll for Anita! All went home happy. Rekha’s offbeat birthday party was a huge success!
