Ember and the Star-Topped Cake
Ember wants to celebrate Sofia’s birthday, but tiny candle flames give him a very big worry. A thoughtful birthday girl and a sprinkle of dragon magic turn a forest party into something wonderfully unexpected.
✨ Make a Storybook FreeA MayaLili Original · ages 3-5 · free to read and print
Ember arrived at Sofia’s forest birthday party with a present wrapped in leaves. His nervous tail tied itself into a curly green question mark. “Come sit beside me!” Sofia called. There were berry buns, flower hats, and a cake wearing seven enormous strawberries.
The whole story
Ember arrived at Sofia’s forest birthday party with a present wrapped in leaves. His nervous tail tied itself into a curly green question mark. “Come sit beside me!” Sofia called. There were berry buns, flower hats, and a cake wearing seven enormous strawberries.
Then Sofia brought out the candles. Zip! Ember vanished behind a fern. Only his tail showed. The squirrel guests waited. The rabbits waited. The warm cake grew cold. “Ember?” Sofia crouched beside the fern. “Is your tummy feeling wobbly?”
“Little flames make me sneeze sparks,” Ember whispered. “Even looking at one makes my nose go… fizz.” Sofia sat beside him. “No candles, then.” “But your birthday wish!” Sofia thought. A leaf landed on her head. “Oh! I have an idea.”
Sofia put the candles away and tucked paper stars around the cake. “Could you make these twinkle?” Ember peeked out. “With my glow-breath. It isn’t hot.” From well back, he gave one careful puff. No fire. No sparks. Just soft dragon magic—and every star shone!
Sofia closed her eyes and made her wish beneath the little shining stars. Then she cut Ember the strawberry-est slice. “Same again next birthday?” she asked. “Yes, please!” Ember’s tail uncurled at last—and quietly helped itself to a flower hat.