Cheeky's monstrous birthday party

Cheeky the blobby green monster
Lived under Bindu’s blue bed.
And whenever Bindu bent down to look
Cheeky turned a panicky red.

For Cheeky was no wild, impish monster
But one with a warm, kindly heart.
He couldn’t help it if little Bindu
Was as bitter and sour and tart.

She’d yell and whine in a tantrum
And give Cheeky quite a scare.
She’d throw dolls and toy boats about her
And break light bulbs beyond repair.

She’d scribble all over her storybooks
And pull at her hair in a huff.
She’d drive her mom into a frenzy
Till she yelled and cried, “Enough!”

And all the while Cheeky would shiver
With fear, sadness and gloom.
Crying blobs of silvery tears
In the soft light of Bindu’s blue room.

He’d never had a quiet moment
Ever since Bindu made this room her den.
He’d never seen such an unruly brat
Would he ever find peace again?

Then one Sunday bright and clear
A breeze of change did blow,
When a single act of noble deed
Seeds of happiness sowed.

It happened so on that fine day
Two birthdays dawned with the sun.
One belonged to little Bindu
And Cheeky’s was the other one.

Cheeky flew across his invites
On a slice of breeze to his magical chums.
To fairies, elves, and gooey monsters
To join him for an evening of fun.

All morning beneath Bindu’s big bed
Mummy Monster doted over her boy.
She showered him with flowers and kisses.
She conjured up gooey green toys.

She charmed up a huge three-tier cake
Of pineapple, strawberries and cream.
She strung out bright colourful streamers
And hung down balloons filled with treats.

Cheeky put on a bright red and green suit
With buttons of a diamond’s gleam.
His teeth shone a dazzling yellow
He looked so chubby and squeaky clean.

The clock soon struck eight – ‘Dong Dong!’
Cheeky’s friends flew in one by one
Carrying gifts and flowers, chocolates and cards
Shouting birthday wishes by the dozen.

Cheeky welcomed them all with a smile.
They patted and squeezed him too.
They ‘oohed’ and ‘aahed’ at the gorgeous cake
And marvelled at the birthday lights new.

The party began with a bang
Scattered confetti hung mid-air.
The charm of a monster’s party
Is truly something beyond compare!

Mummy Monster rolled in the cake.
Cheeky’s pals clapped in glee
A fairy flew around the topmost tier
The magnificent view below to see.

But just as Cheeky lit his ten candles
And held the knife to slice the cake.
And just as his birthday song started
He heard the crash of a vase break.

Cheeky raised an anxious brow
Would Bindu destroy his special day?
Would the brat scare his precious friends?
Would they fearfully fly away?

A tear rolled down Cheeky’s face
The thought was too dreadful to bear.
But sobs far louder than his
Floated up the creaking stairs.

The door flew open with a bang
The ten candles flickered in the breeze.
Bindu flew to her big blue bed
And crying fell to her knees.

This was no terrible tantrum
But a sorrowful girl in pain.
Cheeky peeped out curiously to find
Bindu’s bespectacled face tear-stained.

Beside Bindu for the first time that day
Cheeky spotted her sweet, kindly mom;
She hugged her and ruffled her hair
And softly squeezed her palm.

“It doesn’t matter, my dear girl,”
said Bindu’s mom drawing her near,
“A birthday girl does not wail and weep,
And does not shed so many tears.”

“Friends you’ll soon make too
In this new city, in due course.
And when your next birthday comes around
You’ll forget today’s remorse.”   

So saying Bindu’s mom walked away
Leaving behind her share of chips and cake.
Bindu sadly picked up the plate of treats
When she felt her bed tremble and shake.

Looking around, she uttered a stifled scream
Who were these creatures so small and quaint?
Not human they looked in the least
The sight almost made her faint.

“I’m Cheeky,” said the blobby green figure.
“My family’s lived here for years
And these are my fairyland friends.”
He introduced them, showing no fear.

“We heard what your sweet Mommy said
It’s my tenth birthday too
I’d love to share my party with you
If you are game for it too.”

Not blinking, Bindu stared in disbelief
At Cheeky’s warm invitation.
In reply, she mouthed just one word – “Yes!”
Cheeky gleefully resumed the celebration.

Together they cut the three-tier cake
Together they pricked the balloons
Together they danced and played games
And with fairy friends flew to the moon.

A happier evening never was spent
Than before this in Bindu’s room.
Never again did Cheeky fear this bratty girl
Never again did he feel buried in gloom.

For the loneliness behind Bindu’s tantrums
Had vanished when Cheeky turned ten
She had found a magical playmate
In a new city, her very first friend.