Darcy had a lot of friendsand she was friendly too. She shared each day with all her friends a happy word or two. She always had a joyful smile and pleasant things to saybut she did not seem caring on her best friend's special day.
Her best friend's name was Gina. They were close as friends could be. They always shared their birthdays. They were just like family. But this year Gina's birthday somehow slipped from Darcy's mindand all the day at schoolDarcy did not seem very kind.
She did not want to tell Darcy her birthday was that day. She thought she should remember. It had always been that waybut somehow Darcy didn't knowand as the day went by she made her poor friend Gina feel so sad that she could cry.
At lunch they sat together with some friends to eat their foodbut Darcy seemed to busy to catch on to Gina's mood. Then after school when Darcy calledshe still forgot the day! She wanted to tell Darcybut did not know what to say.
The two hung up the phonesand just then Darcy realized it was her best friend's birthdayand she had been caught surprised. "Oh dear" she said while staring at the calendar she had. The date was clearly marked and that made Darcy feel so bad.
"I've been so selfish! Gina must think I don't even care. I have to make this better. I've been terribly unfair!" So Darcy rode her bike down to the store to get a gift.
She hoped it would not be too late to give hear heart a lift.
She hurried to her housefeeling ashamed that she forgot. Though she did care for Ginashe had not shown it a lot. When Gina opened up the doorshe saw her best friend therestill sweating from the bike rideand with really messy hair.
"I'm sorry I forgotbut happy birthday" Darcy said. So pleased to see herGina said"come in you silly-head!" They both enjoyed a partyand they quickly made amends.
They grew yet ever closer as the very best of friends.
So Darcy learned that just to carewas not all caring was. What matters most is showing care in what one says and does.
