Happy Birthday, Paul! | HABA Kullerbü

There is one day of the year Paul looks forward to more than any other: his birthday. Of course he wants to have a big party with his friends and he has already decided exactly who to invite: his best friend Kira the cat and Hugo the dog. And the brave parachuting frog and the cheeky flying mice must not be missing either. He handed each of them a colourful, homemade invitation and everyone said they would come to his birthday! Paul asked his mum for a delicious surprise birthday cake. "You'll have to wait a little longer," says Paul's mum as she quickly shuts the kitchen door behind her. "The cake won't be ready until this afternoon. Besides… if you see it now, it wouldn't be a surprise any more!"

"I'm sooo bored," Paul moans. "Can't the visitors come a bit earlier?" Paul rolls around the dining room and doesn't really know what to do. "How about helping me a little with the preparations? That will make the time go much faster," says Mum.

Together they hang up the brightly coloured birthday garland, lay out the crockery and streamers on the table. And Paul busily sprinkles confetti. "Stop, Paul, that's enough!" calls Mum, laughing. It feels like a small eternity to Paul until it is finally afternoon and his guests arrive one after another.

First to arrive are Kira the cat and Hugo the dog. They have a huge present with a red ribbon. "Happy birthday!" they both shout at the same time when Paul opens the door. "Oh, the present is enormous," Paul says excitedly.

"Hello Kira, hello Hugo," calls Paul's mum from the dining room. "Lovely to see you. Come in and find a seat. There's hot chocolate and cake!" They don't need telling twice. Then there is a loud "thud" in the garden. Everyone looks out of the window in surprise. Oh my, what was that? Oh dear, the brave parachuting frog has landed in the garden and knocked over a flowerpot. He's a little dizzy, but he soon picks himself up again and straightens his crash helmet. "I'm all right," he calls from outside. "I'm sorry about the flowerpot!" Before the frog sits down at the table, he hands Paul a large bunch of flowers he picked himself: "Happy birthday, Paul!"

It isn't long before a loud rattling and chugging noise is heard outside, then tyres screech: the flying mice have landed their aeroplane on the road and parked it right in front of Paul's house. At last the final birthday guests are here and the party can begin!

When everyone is seated at the table, Paul's mum brings the birthday cake out of the kitchen. Paul stands with his mouth open in surprise: the cake is even more beautiful than he had imagined: enormous, with thick chocolate glaze, colourful sprinkles – and real, lit candles. "You must blow out all the candles at once and make a wish," Kira cries excitedly. "But you mustn't tell us what it is!" Paul takes a deep breath and begins to blow.

After all the candles have been blown out, Paul's mum cuts a slice of cake for each guest. The first slice, of course, goes to the birthday child. "Mmm, tasty," Paul says between two bites and the others agree: this is the best birthday cake they've ever eaten! After they've almost finished the whole cake, it's time to open the presents. Paul has been looking forward to this all the time. He can't wait to find out what's inside the big present Kira and Hugo brought.

"The present is from all of us, we made it together!" shouts Kira. "Pst, don't give too much away," whispers Hugo, "otherwise it won't be a surprise any more!" Paul eagerly unties the red ribbon and tears off the colourful wrapping paper. Revealed is… a beautiful yellow paper crown.

"Oh, it's lovely!" Paul exclaims and tries the crown on straight away. "Today you are the birthday king!" explains Hugo. "And you get to decide what we play!" Together they play lots of fun party games and the afternoon flies by.

And already it's time for the guests to go home again. "Don't be sad, Paul," says Mum. "You'll have a birthday again next year!" Together they wave goodbye to Kira, Hugo and the others.

If you'd like, you can make your own invitation cards for the next birthday party or a colourful Kullerkerle garland as party decoration. All birthday children can also make a great birthday crown or place cards to make. The templates, including a colouring sheet with a cute birthday motif can easily be downloaded and printed out by your parents. Have fun crafting and celebrating!