Sumee' was the newest member of the Clarkson family. He was brown all over with dark ears and feet, typical hamster. Tommy was very excited when his dad brought Sumee' home about a year ago, on his eighth birthday. Tipster, the family cat, didn't like it from the beginning. To a cat a hamster is nothing more than an oversize mouse. Another pet in the house did not go well with Tipster. Tommy was beginning to spend more time with Sumee' and less time with him. For a whole year everything Tipster tried, to separate Tommy from Sumee', failed. But he wasn't about to give up ... yet.
One warm sunny day Tipster noticed the door on Sumee's cage was open. Did Tommy forget to lock it? Sumee' noticed the open cage door too. Though, he had his own suspicion about it. "Whoever said cats were clean need to get their nose examined. I can smell this cat a mile away. What is this cat up to now", Sumee' thought to himself. Five... ten... fifteen minutes passed and Sumee' still did not leave his cage. Instead, he began to exercise harder than ever before, as though he was getting ready for the Olympics.
Exercising has its benefits, not only will it keep you in good shape, but it keeps your mind occupied as well. Staying focused on sit-ups, leg lifts, push-ups and, squats was a major lesson in patience. Fifteen minutes later, and an exhausted hamster, Sumee' barely even glanced at the open door. Wheeling around with arms raised and fists clenched Sumee' stood like a champion acknowledging victory.
While spinning around thanking his imaginary crowd his eyes fell upon 'Tipster', who was sitting at the cage door, watching. Looking as though he got caught with his hand in the (proverbial) cookie jar, Sumee' began babbling, " I know it was you who opened my door; you thought curiosity would lure me out, but you were wrong, I'm smarter than that, Curiosity killed the 'Cat', not the 'Hamster'," shouted Sumee'. All the while flashing that big, broad smile of his. "Now what! Now what!" chimed Sumee' tauntingly. "Well", said Tipster, measuring his words carefully. "Did you forget today is your birthday"? Asked Tipster. "My birthday", said Sumee', trying to hide his surprise. "Of course not, how could I forget my own birthday"! Said Sumee', looking around sheepishly. "That's good", said Tipster, "because everyone is waiting for you in the dining room". Sumee' was speechless.
A surprise birthday party. Wow! Sumee' felt ashamed. He thought the worse, when his family and friends only wanted the best for him. On the way to the dining room Tipster looked back at Sumee' and said, "act surprised". Sumee' hung his head in shame. He misjudged his family and friends. Walking slowly into the dining room the lights came on, the horns began to sound and everyone began to sing," happy birthday to you". Tears began to well up in his eyes, his chest got tight and all words abandoned him as he acted surprised.