The Birthday Surprise


Isaac turned pale as he looked at the mess he had made in the kitchen. The eggs and bacon were burnt to black shards on the frying pan, cooking oil had spilled out of the broken bottle and was all over the floor, the pancake batter had turned lumpy and dry, and the washcloth had dark stains from the coffee powder that Isaac had spilled and wiped off the counter.

Oh, this is the worst morning Mom could possibly have for her birthday, Isaac thought, as he grabbed a fresh cloth to clean the oil from the floor. It was his mother's birthday, and Isaac had woken up early to prepare breakfast. He wanted to surprise Mom with breakfast in bed and tell her to take the day off. Now, looking at the mess he had created, he realized that not only would Mom not get a day off, she would also have to work extra to help him clean up the mess in the kitchen.

While he was scrubbing the floor, he heard the sound of footsteps approaching the kitchen. Mom was up! Isaac's heart began beating wildly. His mother walked into the kitchen and froze in her tracks when she saw the storm Isaac had raised in the kitchen.

"I'm sorry, Mom! I was trying to make you breakfast to surprise you for your birthday. I never stopped to think about how terrible I could possibly be at cooking," Isaac said, going red in his cheeks.

For a moment, his mother did not react. Then, a small smile appeared on her face and she hugged Isaac.

"It's alright, sweetheart. You meant well, so there is no reason to feel sorry," she said.

5

Which of the following actions contributes to the theme?

A.

Isaac wakes up early to make breakfast for his mother.

B.

Isaac tries to clean the spilled oil from the floor.

C.

Isaac apologizes to his mother for making a mess.

D.

Isaac decides to take the breakfast to his mother's bed.