The Challenge:

Bella’s birthday was on Saturday. Tara is Bella’s best friend. Tara wanted to do something nice for Bella. Tara wanted to give Bella a present – but what?

Tara asked her Mom for help. Tara’s Mom told Tara she would take Tara to the store after school. Tara and her Mom went, but they didn’t find anything Tara liked for Bella.

“You could make something for Bella,” Tara’s Mom said.

Tara looked at her Mom.

Is it a good idea? I don’t know how to make anything, Tara thought to herself.

“Like what?” Tara asked.

“What about a cake?” Tara’s Mom said.

“I’ve never made a cake” Tara said.

“I’ll help you” Tara’s Mom said.

“But then it won’t be my present for Bella, it’ll be our present” Tara said.

They drove home in silence.

The Solution:

Tara went into the kitchen and sat down with a cookbook. Her Mom watched her and offered, “I can get everything ready” Tara’s Mom said, smiling.

“No thanks, this is my project,” Tara said.

“I will be at my desk if you need me.” “All of the dry ingredients are in these containers and the rest….” Tara rolled her eyes, her Mom sat down at her desk and started reading.

Tara was very excited to get to work. She picked a cookbook, chose the recipe (strawberry shortcake), took out all of the ingredients and began measuring, pouring, and mixing. Before she knew it, she had everything done! The cake was baking in the oven, the whipped cream was ready, the strawberries were sliced prettily, and it smelled great. Tara went into the den and sat down to read her book while the cake finished baking.

When the timer went off, Tara took the cake layers out of the oven and put them on the counter. Tara’s Mom came in and said, “they look beautiful” and rubbed Tara’s back. Tara was worried about how she was going to turn the cake layers out of the pans without breaking them with only one hand! She didn’t want to wear her prosthetic. What could she do?!

Tara called her friend Matt and asked him to help her. His Mom said Matt was out playing basketball. Tara couldn’t call her other friend Sara, because Sara couldn’t keep a secret—she’d tell Bella about the cake and ruin the surprise! Tara didn’t know what to do.

I wish I could just do it myself! No one understands, Tara thought.

Suddenly, Princess Karina appeared in a pink bubble, glitter sparkling everywhere. Princess Karina said, “I understand Tara.”

Tara stared at the Princess, shocked. “Who are you?” Tara said.

“Princess Karina.”

“How did you get here?” Tara said.

“You wished for me,” Princess Karina said.

“No, I wished I could do it myself” Tara said.

“I came to tell you, you can” Princess Karina said.

“How?!” Tara said.

“By asking for help or by wearing your prosthetic” Princess Karina said.

“I just wish I were normal again” Tara said, suddenly furious.

“You’re not,” Princess Karina said gently.

“Go away!” Tara said.

“Okay” Princess Karina said, “but I’ll come whenever you need me.” Princess Karina disappeared in a cloud of pink glitter.

Tara sat down and scowled at the perfect cakes in their pans. She finally got up and went to bed.

In the morning Tara jumped out of bed – she had a plan! – she pinned the pan to the counter with her hip and single-handedly cut the cake layers into eight pieces and lifted out the pieces with a spatula. Then Tara made frosting, decorated the pieces like the petals of a flower, assembled them, iced them back together and put the cake together – she did it! She made Bella’s present by herself! Tara was very happy and proud.

While Tara’s Mom made breakfast, Tara’s Dad found a cake plate on a top shelf, and took it down. They put the cake on it. Tara carried the cake to Bella’s house—it was the morning of Bella’s birthday. Tara set the cake down on a bench on the porch and rang the bell.

“Good morning Tara,” Bella’s Mom said, “that’s a beautiful cake you have there.”

Tara grinned, “I made it for Bella, Mrs. Finch.”

“You know how grumpy she is in the morning” Bella’s Mom said. “Do you want to leave it as a surprise or brave waking her up?”

“I’ll brave it but let’s leave the cake downstairs” Tara said, handing the cake to Bella’s Mom and starting to run up the stairs.

“Good idea” Bella’s Mom said.

Tara burst into Bella’s room and sang . . . “Happy Birthday to you, happy birthday to you, you look like a monkey and you smell like one too!”

Bella pulled the covers over her head and groaned. “Get out!” she growled.

Tara ran for the door after setting Bella’s alarm clock and hiding it under the bookshelf! “See you later” Tara called.

Bella’s alarm clock went off and Bella couldn’t find it. It kept getting louder and louder and Bella kept groaning and growling louder and louder. Bella’s Mom and Tara listened at the door. Finally, Bella came running out!

“I hate you guys!” she said. “Why can’t I ever sleep late on Saturday”? Bella pouted. “It’s my birthday and this is how you treat me!”

“It’s 10:30,” Bella’s Mom said, “do you want breakfast?”

“Fine” Bella said, suddenly hungry, and stomped downstairs.

The first thing Bella saw was the cake Tara had made. Bella’s eyes got big – “Cool! Cake for breakfast!”

Tara giggled. “Not just cake, but cake I made for you,” Tara said. The girls sat down and ate cake for breakfast with Bella’s Mom, little brother Will and her Dad; it was a great birthday!!!