It was early morning at Pimpi Rabbit’s house. The sun was just beginning to rise. Agatha Rabbit quietly opened the door to the children’s bedroom. Pimpi Rabbit and the twins were still fast asleep.
“Wake up, Pimpi Rabbit! The sun is shining on your tummy! It’s your birthday!”
“Oh no,” mumbled Pimpi. “I’m still so sleepy. I want to sleep a little longer.”
“Can’t you hear the alarm clock ringing?”
“Oh yes, I can hear it…”
“Then open your eyes, Pimpi! You’re having your birthday party today!”
Pimpi yawned and stretched.
“All right… but please stop shaking me!”
“Very well,” said Agatha Rabbit with a smile. “I’m going to the kitchen to make breakfast. You go to the bathroom first. Have a shower, brush your teeth, and comb your hair. Dry yourself well with a towel, and please don’t splash too much water on the floor. Roger Rabbit is still asleep, so try to be quiet.”
In the Bathroom
A few minutes later, Agatha Rabbit looked into the bathroom.
“Pimpi! Why are you sitting in the bathtub instead of having a shower?”
“Because a warm bubble bath feels so nice! And it smells wonderful!”
Agatha smiled.
“I won’t be cross with you today because it’s your birthday.”
“But why would you be cross?” asked Pimpi. “Prunella Rabbit, my little sister, and Bobo Rabbit, my little brother, are always allowed to have a bath.”
“They’re still very little,” said Mum. “When you were their age, you had bubble baths too. Now dry your fur with your towel, put on your clothes, brush your teeth, and rinse your mouth. Your toothbrush is on the shelf, and don’t forget the toothpaste. Please try not to splash water all over the bathroom.”
“Okay, Mum. I’ll try.”
“And don’t forget to comb your hair!”
In the Kitchen
“Come and sit down,” said Agatha Rabbit. “Breakfast is ready.”
On Pimpi’s plate were fresh carrots with a little honey. Beside them was a glass of fresh morning dew. There was also a soft-boiled egg with a slice of bread and butter.
“I’m not hungry, Mum,” said Pimpi. “I’m so excited about my birthday party tonight. I don’t even feel like going to school.”
Agatha Rabbit smiled kindly.
“Nice try, Pimpi, but you still have to go to school—even on your birthday.”
“All right,” sighed Pimpi. “May I just have the dew? I have butterflies in my stomach. Could you wrap up the carrot for me? I promise I’ll eat it during break.”
“Of course,” said Mum.
She handed Pimpi her schoolbag.
“I’ve sharpened your pencils and packed all your books. Be careful as you walk through the woods. I’ll be waiting for you outside the school at noon in my red buggy.”
Pimpi gave her mum a big hug before happily setting off for school.
Agatha Rabbit Prepares for the Party
While Pimpi was at school, Agatha Rabbit went into the garden to prepare for the birthday party.
“I need plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables,” she said to herself. “First, I’ll take a basket. I also need a jug of water so I can wash everything before we eat.”
She picked up a small shovel to dig up the carrots and a pair of garden scissors to trim the vegetables.
“Oh my goodness!” she exclaimed. “I almost forgot to invite everyone!”
She thought carefully.
“I must invite Mary Squirrel, Cinderella Robin, Anthony Turtle and Anastasia Pig. It’s rather late now, but I’m sure they’ll understand.”
She called to Roger Rabbit.
“Roger, could you please take a message to our friends? Tell them they’re invited to Pimpi’s birthday party this evening.”
“Of course!” replied Roger. “I’ll be back in no time.”
Just then, Barbara Bee flew by, busily buzzing from flower to flower.
“Hello, Barbara Bee!” called Agatha. “Would you like to come to Pimpi’s birthday party tonight? You work so hard—you deserve an evening of fun.”
“I’d love to!” buzzed Barbara happily. “Thank you for inviting me.”
“Wonderful! Come after sunset,” said Agatha with a smile.
Barbara Bee waved her tiny wings and flew away.
Roger Rabbit Works in the Garden
While Agatha prepared the food, Roger Rabbit tidied the garden for the party.
He watered the flowers with a long hose, loosened the soil with a hoe, pulled up the weeds and dug little holes with a spade for new flowers.
“I’m going to plant pansies, carnations and forget-me-nots,” he said. “It’s still a little too early for gladioli and dahlias.”
As he worked, he noticed several fresh molehills.
“Oh dear,” he laughed. “The moles have been busy again! Never mind—they’re our friends.”
The rose bushes were covered with beautiful buds, and bees buzzed happily around the flowers.
Roger raked up the fallen leaves and put the weeds into a wheelbarrow. He carried them to the compost heap and piled the freshly cut grass nearby.
“That will make good compost for the garden,” he said.
Suddenly he heard a loud bark from the neighbour’s dog.
“There he goes again,” sighed Roger. “Perhaps I should plant some hazel bushes or sweet chestnut trees along the fence. They might stop him from wandering into our garden.”
Then he smiled.
“I’ll leave a few little paths for the ducklings and chicks. They’ll enjoy visiting us. I’ll even give them some chopped nettles—they love them!”
Soon the garden looked neat, colourful and ready for Pimpi’s birthday party.
At School
“Good morning, children,” said the teacher with a smile. “My name is Antonia Rabbit, and I’ll be your teacher from today.”
“We’re going to practise some maths.”
Pimpi raised a paw.
“Aunt Antonia… I forgot to do my homework.”
“That’s all right this time,” said Aunt Antonia kindly. “Come to the blackboard and let’s work through it together.”
“I’ll do my best,” said Pimpi.
“What is two times three?”
Pimpi thought very hard.
“Um… five?”
Aunt Antonia smiled gently.
“Not quite. Try counting on your fingers.”
Pimpi counted carefully.
“Oh! It’s six!”
“That’s right!” said Aunt Antonia.
“And what is two plus three?”
“Five!” answered Pimpi straight away.
“Excellent,” said the teacher. “Just keep practising at home. Since today is your birthday, I won’t give you any marks today.”
Pimpi smiled proudly and couldn’t stop thinking about the party waiting for her at home.
Home Again
When school was over, Pimpi skipped happily through the woods until she reached home.
As she walked into the kitchen, the delicious smell of freshly baked cake filled the air.
Agatha Rabbit had just taken a cake out of the oven. She carefully placed the baking tin on the cooling hob, smiled at Pimpi, and took her schoolbag.
“Pimpi,” she said gently, “you didn’t eat your carrot.”
Pimpi looked down.
“I’m sorry, Mum. I was so excited! Aunt Antonia asked me to solve maths problems on the blackboard. I had butterflies in my stomach all day.”
Agatha smiled.
“That’s all right this time. Now go and wash your face and your ears. Then brush your teeth before the party.”
“All right, Mum. May I wear my pink dress afterwards? I like it much better than the blue one.”
“Of course,” said Agatha. “You may wear your pink dress, but I’d like you to wear your red shoes with it.”
Pimpi’s eyes sparkled.
“And may I wear my purple hat too?”
Agatha laughed.
“A purple hat? That’s quite unusual!”
“Please, Mum?”
“Very well,” she smiled. “But promise me you’ll take it off after dinner. It isn’t the best hat for running around and playing in the garden.”
“I promise!” said Pimpi. “I’ll only wear it while we’re sitting at the table.”
Pimpi hurried upstairs to get ready.
The Birthday Party
As the sun began to set, the guests started to arrive.
Knock, knock!
“Hello, Pimpi!” called Cinderella Robin. “Happy Birthday!”
“Thank you! I’m so glad you came!”
“This present is for you.”
Pimpi carefully untied the ribbon and opened the parcel.
“Oh!” she gasped. “A beautiful pink swimsuit with little purple flowers! I love it!”
“I thought you could wear it at the beach this summer,” said Cinderella Robin.
“I certainly will!” laughed Pimpi. “And we can play badminton together!”
Cinderella Robin giggled.
“I’d rather build sandcastles.”
“So would I!” said another little voice.
Just then Barbara Bee flew in through the open garden gate.
“Happy Birthday, Pimpi!” she buzzed. “This is my present for you.”
Inside the package were a tiny bucket, a little shovel and a bright yellow sieve.
“They’re perfect!” exclaimed Pimpi. “Now we can build the biggest sandcastle ever!”
“And don’t forget to make a little pond in the middle,” said Barbara Bee. “If it’s a hot day, I’ll come and have a drink.”
Everyone laughed.
Soon Agatha Rabbit called from the garden.
“Come along, everyone! The food is ready.”
The friends sat around the table and enjoyed fresh salad, crunchy carrots, sweet berries and juicy fruit.
Then Agatha Rabbit appeared carrying a large birthday cake.
Six brightly burning candles twinkled on top.
“Make a wish!” everyone cheered.
Pimpi closed her eyes, made a secret wish and blew out all six candles in one big puff.
Everyone clapped and cheered.
“Happy Birthday, Pimpi!”
That Evening
After all the guests had gone home, Pimpi carried her presents upstairs.
Agatha tucked the blankets around her.
“I’ll put your presents beside your bed,” she said. “Now it’s time to change into your pyjamas and get some sleep.”
“But Mum,” said Pimpi, “tomorrow is Saturday! Can’t I try my new skipping rope or my roller skates?”
Agatha smiled.
“Not tonight, my dear. You’ve had such an exciting day, and you must be tired.”
Pimpi yawned.
“I suppose you’re right.”
“Would you like a warm banana drink before bed?”
“Oh yes, please! That would be lovely.”
While Agatha prepared the drink, Pimpi looked out of the bedroom window.
“Look, Mum! The moon is full, and the stars are shining so brightly.”
“They certainly are,” said Agatha.
“But I think a storm might be coming. The wind is getting stronger.”
“Then let’s close the windows and the shutters,” said Mum. “That way you’ll sleep peacefully.”
She closed the curtains, tucked Pimpi in once more and kissed her on the forehead.
“May I watch the bedtime story on television?” asked Pimpi.
“Just this once,” said Agatha with a smile.
When the programme was over, Mum switched off the television.
“Goodnight, Pimpi.”
“Goodnight, Mum.”
Just then, there was a gentle tap at the window.
Tap… tap…
Amanda the Owl was perched on the windowsill.
She smiled kindly and whispered, “Happy Birthday, Pimpi.”
Pimpi smiled, closed her eyes, and soon fell fast asleep.
The End
