Still in pain from the tightrope fiasco, Katie spent the next few weeks in the quiet solitude of her room. She couldn’t walk, and was unable to fly because the cast was so heavy, that the minute she tried to move up in the air, it would drag her right back down. So Katie sat around all day – listening to the radio and chatting with her visitors.
Ildi Honeybee cooked for her, and even gathered aphids in a tiny basket so Katie could regain her strength as quickly as possible. Sir Woodpecker made sure she had enough to read, and delivered her the Great Meadow Daily News on a regular basis.
One sun-drenched afternoon, when Katie was thumbing through upcoming meadow events in the Sunday edition, she noticed a calendar. The months and the days were printed in bold, golden letters.
“Let’s see… what day is it again today?” she took a closer look. “June seventh… Really?” That means that it’s almost Ildi’s birthday!” Her face lit up.
She quickly counted the days remaining, and soon came up with a special birthday surprise.
“I will paint a beautiful picture of her favorite rosebush,” she decided rummaging through her kitchen cabinets for a paint set. “It’s got to be here somewhere…”
Then, Katie heard a voice from outside.
“Hello, Katie! May I come in? It’s me, Sir Woodpecker. I’ve got a new magazine for you and also a tasty pound cake. Lady Woodpecker just took it out of the oven, it’s still warm…”
After cake and tea, Katie revealed her plan to Sir Woodpecker.
“What a great idea!” Sir Woodpecker agreed, and – as a special touch – he even offered to frame the artwork.
Katie began working on her project that very day. She painted a rosebush in full bloom. Sunshine danced on the rose petals and puffy white clouds filled the bright sky. When she finished, Sir Woodpecker carefully put the canvas in a beautiful, carved frame. He then shared a top secret with Katie: she wasn’t the only one preparing a surprise for the honeybee.
The next day Katie carefully wrapped her work in pink paper. She just finished tying the bow, when the Woodpeckers arrived. They brought a huge birthday cake filled with honey cream, straight from Lady Woodpecker’s gourmet kitchen.
“Fantastic!” Katie cheered. “It’s almost nine o’clock. Ildi will be here soon.”
A few moments later, someone knocked on the door.
“Good morning, Katie! Did you wake up yet? It’s me, Ildi Honeybee, and I am here to make you breakfast.”
“Yes, come on in!”
Not suspecting a thing, Ildi stepped into the room.
“Surprise!!!” they all shouted. “Happy birthday!”
“Happy birthday!” A mix of voices echoed outside.
Everyone turned around in surprise as unexpected visitors flooded the mushroom house: the Sparrow family, the Field Mice, the Ant clan, Samantha Spider and Gregory Grasshopper. They all greeted Ildi, wishing her the happiest of birthdays, with many hugs. The honeybee just stood there stunned – motionless, as a pillar of salt.
“Look, we have gifts for you!”
Samantha Spider and Gregory Grasshopper gave her a bouquet of wildflowers, freshly picked from the meadow. The Ant clan brought honey flavored lemonade in a crystal jug. Mrs. Field Mouse surprised Ildi with soft, warm socks to keep her feet warm when flying in chilly weather. The Sparrow family sang her a birthday song.
“And this my gift.” said Katie. “I painted it just for you. Sir Woodpecker framed it so beautifully, didn’t he?” she handed the present over to Ildi.
Ildi was jumping with joy.
“What a wonderful painting! I love my beautiful birthday surprises! Thank you all, very much!”
Then later, sitting at the table, she leaned over to Katie between two slices of birthday cake.
“Your gift is absolutely amazing. You know, you are a lot better at painting then being a magician…”
Katie just giggled and took a big gulp of her lemonade.