It was a quiet afternoon when Lala suddenly decided she wanted to do something extra special for her friend Siba. She glanced toward the kitchen, her eyes sparkling with determination. Cooking was something she had watched Mom do many times, and today she thought, “Why not me? Why not surprise Siba with a meal made from the heart?”
Tiptoeing into the kitchen, Lala opened drawers and cupboards with careful curiosity. She gathered little bowls, some vegetables, and even a wooden spoon that looked far too big for her tiny hands. She placed everything neatly on the counter, proud of how grown-up she felt.
Her small fingers worked diligently—though sometimes clumsily—as she prepared the ingredients. She washed the veggies, lined them up, and even tried to chop them the way Mom always did. It wasn’t perfect, but her heart was in every move. With each step, she imagined Siba’s happy face when presented with the meal.
Siba, of course, peeked around the corner, his nose twitching with curiosity. He tilted his head, watching Lala’s thoughtful effort. She caught him spying and wagged her finger with a playful giggle, as if to say, “No peeking! It’s a surprise!” Siba sat patiently, his tail flicking with anticipation.
Finally, after much mixing, stirring, and a little mess on the floor, Lala had something ready to serve. She proudly placed the dish in front of Siba, her eyes glowing with excitement. “Here you go, Siba! I made this just for you!”
Siba leaned in, sniffing, then happily dug in. His little noises of approval were all the thanks Lala needed. She clapped her hands, delighted that her thoughtful idea had brought him so much joy.
In that small kitchen moment, Lala learned something important—love isn’t only shown in big gestures. Sometimes, it’s in the effort of preparing a meal, no matter how simple, just to make someone else smile.
And for Siba, that meal wasn’t just food—it was a gift from the heart.
