The morning after her joyful birthday party, Lala woke up with a big smile still on her face. Balloons were hanging from the ceiling, colorful ribbons scattered across the floor, and empty plates from the delicious cake were everywhere. But instead of calling for help, Lala stretched her little arms and said to herself, “I’m a big girl now—I can clean this up all by myself!”
With determination in her eyes, Lala picked up every balloon one by one, gently deflating them and putting them in a special drawer to save for next time. She carefully folded the banner that read “Happy Birthday Lala” and placed it in a memory box with her birthday cards.
Next, she swept the floor with her small broom, humming happily as crumbs from the cake disappeared. Cups and dishes were taken to the sink, where Lala tried her best to rinse them like she had seen Thuy do so many times. Though she splashed a bit of water, her effort was full of heart.
She even arranged the chairs neatly and wiped the table with a soft cloth. The once-messy living room now looked fresh, clean, and calm — all thanks to Lala’s clever hands and responsible spirit.
When Thuy returned from the market, she was amazed. “Lala, did you do all this by yourself?” she asked in surprise.
Lala nodded proudly. “Yes, I wanted to help because yesterday was so special.”
Thuy hugged her tightly and smiled. “You are truly growing up, my smart little helper.”
Lala beamed with happiness. Helping out made her feel just as good as blowing out birthday candles — maybe even better. And in that tidy room, she felt proud, loved, and ready for her next big adventure.
