The Birthday Poem
Once upon a time, in a distant, ancient land,
There lived a mighty king and queen in a castle made of sand.
And just outside the castle walls, living on the street,
A poor, deaf orphan girl was working hard to make ends meet.Legend says that one fine day, the king was on a walk,
When he saw the child standing there and decided to stop and talk.
"Hello there little one," he said, "and how are you today?"
But the girl said not a single word and continued on her way.Insulted by the child's lack of common courtesy,
The king grabbed her by the arm and shouted, "Look at me!
"I asked you how you're doing, girl. How dare you not reply?"
"I'm sorry, sire," the girl whispered, as she began to cry."I'm deaf, you see," she mumbled, "I just couldn't hear you speak.
"I meant no disrespect, my Lord." She sounded frail and weak.The king felt sorry for the girl and for acting like a beast,
So he asked the girl to join him at his castle for a feast."Oh, thank you, sire," the girl exclaimed, "You're really much too kind!"
And so they walked together to the castle where they dined.The king and queen both asked the girl about her troubled life
And shunned in horror as they heard about all of her strife.
"If I could grant you one request, what would it be my dear?"
The girl replied, "I wish that you could make it so I hear.""I'm sorry, but that wish can be fulfilled by God alone."
"In that case, I would like a special day all of my own.""Very well," the king replied, "Pick any day you choose,
"And that will be the special day that forevermore we use!"The girl picked out that very day to be her special day,
And, as a gift, the king and queen asked her if she'd stay.
So the girl became their daughter, and in the years to come,
She made sure that there were special days for each and everyone.So now you know the story of how birthdays got their start,
And why we give each other gifts that come straight from the heart.
As we join together here today to celebrate your day,
All of us would like to wish you joy in every way.