This morning, Mandy Brightfield woke up bright and early. It's Easter! she thought excitedly to herself. She was looking forward to her family's traditional Easter picnic with their friends. She jumped out of bed, washed quickly, and got dressed in her favourite dress. She went out into the living area, and what did she find? A large basket of Easter goodies! There were chocolate eggs, fresh flowers, and a large chocolate bunny head. How exciting!
By this time, she could hear her little sister Jenny waking up. Mandy knew that if Jenny saw the basket, unpacking it would be all she wanted to do, so Mandy rushed back into the bedroom to help her little sister get ready for the picnic.
"What dress do you want to wear, Jenny? What about this pretty blue one?" she suggested hopefully, but the response was just what she had expected.
"No," said Jenny. "I want to wear like Daddy." Jenny adored her father, and admired his postman's uniform so much that her mother had asked Mrs Prickles to make her a miniature dress to match. Now it was all Jenny ever wanted to wear.
"Fine," Mandy sighed, exasperated. "But you'll at least wear your pretty flowery hat that Mummy bought for you, won't you? Quickly, put it on - I've a surprise to show you! The Easter Bunny has been here!"
Jenny agreed to the hat, and the girls spent several minutes investigating the delightful Easter basket, and wondering what flavours the chocolate eggs might be.
"I could eat that whole big blue one!" Jenny announced.
"You would be sick," said her sister.
Finally, their parents were ready for the picnic too, and they were duly dragged over to admire the basket.
"My, the Easter Bunny has outdone himself this year!" said Mrs Nancy Brightfield.
"Yes indeed," her husband Billy agreed. "Look at that chocolate rabbit - I could fancy biting his ear right off!" he added with a grin. His daughters giggled.
"Mother, do you think we should take the basket to the picnic?" suggested Mandy. "Then we could share all these lovely treats with our friends."
"What a lovely idea, sweetheart," said her mother, pleased. "Let me put these beautiful flowers in a vase though - they will wilt if we take them with us."
She carried them off into the kitchen, smiling. She was touched by Mandy's generosity, and looked forward to seeing it rewarded. She knew that Mandy would be just as pleased as Jenny, when they discovered later that evening what was hiding in the kitchen cupboard!
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Happy Easter to all those who celebrate it, from the Brightfield family (and ours!) to yours.
