Birthday Gifts

I don’t think I shall quite forget the name Camilla Martin. She’s the teacher of me grandson at the local kindergarten. No question she’s a lovely lady; dedicated through and through, but the lesson that she learnt this day is one that I learnt too. It just happened on the day I drove young ‘Gaz’ to kindergarten, there’s a special birthday happening - it’s his teacher Mrs. Martin. I wondered why young Gazza had this present all wrapped up, so after telling me the reason, he whispered “It’s a cup.” It was a special morning for all the Mums and Dads were there. I was the only Grandpa but young Gazza didn’t seem to care. There’s a birthday cake with candles, lollies, hats and lemonade, and the kids all brought a present … and I’m glad I overstayed … To see the look upon the faces of the kids who held their gift, as Mrs. Martin stood up at the front to give these kids a lift, by waiting to receive each offer as presented one by one, and she really liked the cup handed to her by me grandson. And the other little children were quite interesting as well, as they stepped up to the podium with a similar tale to tell, when Mrs. Martin made predications to what the wrapping held, for she knew the parents business thinking that their gift has gelled. She’s spot on with Jenny Damon whose family own a florist store. Mrs. Martin beamed out “Flowers,” and Jenny smiled, “For sure.” When the local milk bar’s Billy Cann stepped up beaming bright, Mrs. Martin said “This must be chocolate,” and Billy nods “That’s right.” Mrs. Martin waited patiently for ‘Ginger’ Roberts from the hotel, who stepped forward with his gift that she thought that she could tell, because it appeared somewhat a shoebox that did have an ominous sign; it appeared a bottle’s leaking and she gathered it was wine. Mrs. Martin put her finger in the liquid but the taste to her is strange, and for a joke she said to ‘Ginge’, “Is this not Penfolds Grange?” ‘Ginge’ answered “No” so Mrs. Martin tried to guess again, with one more taste upon her lips, she asked, “Is this champagne?” ‘Ginge’ shook his head when saying “No”, so Mrs. Martin gave a sigh, “Well I give up,” she smiled at ‘Ginge’ “No, I’ll give it one more try.” So on her lips goes one last taste to resolve this gift of grog as Ginger interrupted - “Mrs. Martin … it’s a little puppy dog.”