The Birthday Present The time has flown. I started to read the half- read book named "The Russian Spy" written by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. In spite of my ill health, I wanted to keep my eyes opened only because of the seductive writing style which maniced me. My two little sons were doing something secret beckoning to each other. Pretending that I was reading the book, I floated my ears to hear the secret. Literally I was correct. They were in a secret mission. I just turned to them and both distracted thinking I came to know about their plan. After couple of minutes, they were counting money which my parents presented them as a new year gift. Since they were talking in a low voice, I couldn't hear properly what they were whispering to each other. Suddenly I remembered my elder son asked about my up coming birthday. The time has flown. Now I'm an enough matured lady. I neither care about my birthdays nor I ever arranged dignfied celebrations.Sometimes this secret mission is about my birthday. Since I was poking my nose on kids's business, I couldn't read the book properly. So, again I was on my way to read. But the memory of my last birthday emerged through the pages of book and beckoned me to walk arm in arm to the passed year. Some close people also forgot to wish me on my last birthday. It's not because they didn"t care me. I'm enough matured to understand about their busy life styles. But my little ones were busy running here and there and time to time they locked their room. Suddenly, " Happy birthday to you...." They were singing for me holding a little box and a bunch of flowers picked from my garden. After presenting the present, those gleaming eyes were excited to see what I would say. I slowly opened the wrap. My eyes filled with tears seeing the things they have gifted me. There was a hand made birthday card and old jewellery box. I was curious to open it and see what was in side. I was presented two bangles I used to wear 15 years back, one ear ring ( not a pair) and coins of twenty rupees. "Do you like it Amma ( mother) ?" My answer was a tight hug. "This is the best birthday gift I have ever received." I whispered with an over flowing love. In my entire life I never recevied such kind of gift which filled with "love and care." Till my last breath this precious gift will remain with me. All corrections are highly welcomed.