Happy Birthday, Paul! | HABA Kullerbü

There is one day of the year that Paul looks forward to more than any other: his birthday. Of course he wants to throw a big party with his friends, and he has already thought carefully about whom to invite: his best friend Kira the cat and the dog Hugo. And the brave parachuting frog and the cheeky flying mice mustn't be missing either. He has given each of them a colorful, handmade invitation, and everyone has promised to come to his birthday! Paul has asked his mom for a delicious surprise birthday cake. "You'll have to be patient a little longer," Paul's mom says as she quickly closes 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 anymore!"

"I'm sooo bored," Paul whines. "Couldn't the guests come a little earlier?" Paul rolls around the dining room and doesn't really know what to do. "How about you help me a bit more with the preparations? That will make the time pass much faster," says Mom.

They hang up the cheerful, colorful birthday bunting together, lay out the dishes and streamers on the table. And Paul industriously sprinkles confetti. "Stop, Paul, that's enough!" calls Mom, laughing. It feels like a little 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 bow. "Happy birthday!" they both shout at once when Paul opens the door for them. "Oh, the present is huge," Paul exclaims happily.

"Hello Kira, hello Hugo," Paul's mom calls from the dining room. "Nice that you're here. Come in and pick a seat. There's cocoa and cake!" They don't need to be asked twice. Then a loud "thump" sounds from the garden. Everyone looks out the window in surprise. Well, what was that? Oh dear, the brave parachuting frog has landed in the garden and knocked over a flowerpot. He feels a little dizzy, but then he straightens up and fixes his crash helmet. "Everything's fine," he shouts from outside. "I'm sorry about the flowerpot!" Before the frog sits down at the table, he hands Paul a big bouquet of hand-picked flowers: "Happy birthday, Paul!"

It doesn't take long before a loud rattling and chugging noise is heard from outside, then tires screech: the flying mice have landed their airplane on the street and parked it right in front of Paul's house. Finally the last birthday guests have arrived and the party can begin!

When everyone is seated at the table, Paul's mom brings the birthday cake out of the kitchen. Paul's mouth drops open in surprise: the cake is even more beautiful than he had imagined: huge, with thick chocolate icing, colorful sprinkles — and real, burning candles. "You have to 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 starts to blow.

After all the candles have been blown out, Paul's mom cuts a slice of cake for each guest. The first slice, of course, goes to the birthday boy. "Mmm, delicious," Paul says between two bites, and the others agree: this is the best birthday cake they've ever eaten! After nearly the whole cake is gone, it's time to open the presents. Paul has been looking forward to this the whole time. He finally wants to know what's inside the big present Kira and Hugo brought.

"The present is from all of us, we made it together!" Kira shouts. "Psst, don't give away so much," Hugo whispers, "otherwise it won't be a surprise anymore!" Paul eagerly opens the red bow and tears off the colorful wrapping paper. Revealed is... a beautiful yellow paper crown.

"Oh, that's beautiful!" Paul exclaims enthusiastically and immediately tries on the crown. "Today you're the birthday king!" Hugo declares. "And you get to decide what we play!" Together they play lots of fun birthday games and the afternoon flies by.

And before long it's time for the guests to go home again. "Don't be sad, Paul," says Mom. "You'll have your birthday again next year!" And 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 colorful Kullerkerle garland as party decoration. All birthday children can also make a great birthday crown or place cards to make. The templates, including a coloring page with a cute birthday motif, you can easily have your parents download and print them for you. Have fun crafting and celebrating the birthday!