A Surprise for Umi

One morning, Abi whispered to Baby Mo and Baby Ais, "Psst. Today is Umi's birthday. Let's make a surprise. But remember — it's a SECRET."

Baby Mo and Baby Ais's eyes lit up at once. A secret mission! They both nodded eagerly and pressed a finger to their lips, "Shhhh!"

So Operation Surprise began.

Baby Mo's job: drawing. He took the crayons and drew something he called "Umi" — a big circle with curly hair and a very wide smile (and, for some reason, eight legs). Baby Ais's job: sticking paper stars onto the drawing. They worked quietly in the corner of the room, whispering all the while, "Shh! Shh!"

But keeping a secret, it turned out, was the hardest thing in the world for a two-year-old.

At breakfast, Baby Ais was the one who couldn't hold it. She looked at Umi, then smiled meaningfully, then whisper-shouted (which wasn't a whisper at all), "Umi! There's a surpri— mmpfh!" Luckily Baby Mo quickly covered his sister's mouth with his hand. "Shh, Ais! Secret!"

Umi pretended not to hear, and secretly smiled.

All morning, the "secret" nearly leaked ten times. Baby Ais kept giggling every time she saw Umi. Baby Mo kept pulling his sister away, whispering, "Not yet! Not yet!"

Finally, when evening came, everything was ready. Abi called Umi into the living room. Baby Mo and Baby Ais hid behind the sofa, holding their breath, their little bodies trembling with excitement.

"One… two… three!" counted Abi.

"SURPRIIISE!" shouted Baby Mo and Baby Ais together, leaping out and holding up their drawing. Confetti made of paper scraps fluttered down (which they'd secretly cut earlier).

Umi covered her mouth, and her eyes truly welled up. "Masha'Allah… this is for me?"

"Yes!" cried them both. Baby Ais added proudly, "Ais stuck the stars!" Baby Mo pointed at his drawing, "This is Umi. Pretty."

Umi hugged both her children tight, for a long, long time. The gift was just a sheet of paper with an eight-legged drawing. But to Umi, it was the most beautiful painting in the whole world — because it was made by two little hands working together, with hearts full of love.

The pleasure of Allah lies in the pleasure of one's parents.

"Thank you, my loves," whispered Umi. "This is the loveliest gift I've ever received."

And Baby Mo and Baby Ais looked at each other, then high-fived. Secret mission: accomplished! (Even if it nearly leaked ten times.)

It turned out the best part of making a surprise wasn't the surprise — it was making it together with a beloved sibling. 🎁