Kira woke up early on her birthday, her heart filled with excitement. “Today is my special day!” she thought, wagging her tail eagerly. She imagined the warm wishes, playful pats, and a chorus of “Happy Birthday!” But as the day unfolded, something unexpected happened.
A group of pups whispered as Kira passed by. “She won’t get any birthday wishes,” one of them snickered. “She’s not beautiful enough.”
The words stung. Kira’s tail stopped wagging, and her ears drooped. She found a quiet spot under a big oak tree, her heart heavy. “Is it true?” she wondered. “Do I not deserve kindness because I’m not beautiful?”
As she lay there, lost in her thoughts, a soft voice interrupted her. “Kira?” It was her friend, Milo, with a flower in his mouth. “Happy Birthday! I’ve been looking everywhere for you.”
Kira’s eyes widened. Soon, more friends joined, carrying small tokens of love—a shiny pebble, a chewed stick, and even a slice of cake. Each of them wished her with warmth and sincerity.
“You’re the most beautiful friend we know,” said Milo. “Because beauty isn’t about looks—it’s about kindness, joy, and the way you make us feel loved.”
Kira’s heart swelled with happiness. The whispers from earlier melted away, replaced by the warmth of true friendship. “Maybe they were wrong,” she thought. “Because today, I feel truly beautiful.”