Originally, I submitted this story on Deviantart on 19 November 2021. Because that day marked 60 years since the first mention of The Little Red-Haired Girl in the Peanuts comic strips. And I thought "What better way to celebrate than a story taking place on the character's birthday?
I was going to call this "It's Her Birthday, Charlie Brown", but there's already a story here with that title.
One last thing; I do not own Peanuts. It's owned by WildBrain, Sony Music, and the Schulz family.
Anyway, enjoy the story.
Heather Wold the Little Red-Haired Girl was up in her room. She was writing with her nibbled pencil some letters. What kinds of letters is she writing?
"Oh, I hope they all show up!" Heather said excitedly to herself.
Mrs. Wold called out to Heather about how she was going with her invitations.
"I'm down to the last one, Mom!" called Heather.
Mrs. Wold told Heather to take Henry for a stroll.
"Take Henry for a walk? But I have letters to deliver!" Called Heather. But then, it hit her. "Wait a minute! I can deliver my letters and take my little brother for a stroll at the same time! Oh, Heather Wold. You are as smart as your hair is red."
Heather had finished her last letter, placed it on her pile, and put them in Henry's stroller.
Mrs. Wold told Heather that she expects all of her friends to come.
"I hope so, Mom! I hope so!" Heather begged.
Heather set out, pushing the stroller with Henry and her letters. She stopped at the first letterbox and placed three letters in.
Snoopy went outside to check the mail, and much to his surprise, there were three letters. He saw that one was addressed to him, one was addressed to Sally, and one was addressed to Charlie Brown.
"Ay!" Snoopy cheered.
Snoopy walked into the house where Sally sat in her beanbag watching TV, and handed the letter to her.
"A letter for me?" Sally said.
Charlie Brown was sitting on his bed, moping.
"What good is it when….." He started.
Snoopy came into Charlie Brown's room with a letter.
"A letter? Is it for me?" asked Charlie Brown.
Snoopy nodded, and handed it to Charlie Brown. Charlie Brown opened it and….
"This looks like an invitation." Charlie Brown said.
Charlie Brown read on:
Dear Charlie Brown,
You are formally invited
to a party which will
celebrate the 8th birthday
of
Heather Wold.
"It is from the Little Red-Haired Girl! Good grief! Her birthday is coming!" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
Party on Saturday at 2 pm.
RSVP by Thursday.
"Oh, I'll do anything for a Little Red-Haired Girl like Heather if she's inviting me to a party like this!" Charlie Brown swooned.
So Charlie Brown walked across the street and rang the doorbell. And the only one to answer it was Mr. Wold.
"Er, hi! Is Heather home?" asked Charlie Brown.
Mr. Wold told Charlie Brown she wasn't and where she was.
"She isn't? She's taking her brother for a stroll?" asked Charlie Brown.
Mr. Wold replied yes.
"Well, tell her Charlie Brown would love to come to her party." Charlie Brown replied.
Mr. Wold agreed to do so.
"Thank you, Sir!" said Charlie Brown as he returned home, where Sally was holding her invitation to Heather's party.
"Sally, I see you're invited too!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"I sure am, Big Brother!" said Sally. "But what does "Risvup" mean?"
"It doesn't say "Risvup"." Said Charlie Brown sternly. "It's RSVP. It stands for 'Répondez s'il vout plaît'. It's French for 'Please reply'. When you next see Heather, you have to tell her whether or not you're going. She's not home, so I told her folks I'll be there."
"Anyway, I'm going to meet my sweet babboo. If I meet Heather on the way, I'll tell her I'll be there." Smiled Sally.
"Alright, Sally." Charlie Brown said.
Sally went out to meet Linus to tell him about the invitation she got when she saw Heather walking back home with her little brother Henry.
"Oh! Hi, Heather!" said Sally.
"Hello, Sally." Said Heather. "Did you get my invitation?"
"I sure did!" said Sally sweetly.
Sally noticed the Little Red-Haired Boy in the stroller.
"And is this your little brother?" asked Sally.
"It is, Sally." Said Heather. In case your brother didn't tell you, his name is Henry."
"Henry? Why, aren't you the cutest baby!" Sally cooed.
Henry looked at Sally, and covered his eyes.
"Oh, that's alright, Sally." Said Heather. "My brother was only just born recently, so he's just shy."
"Oh. And also, Risvup." Sally said.
"Risvup?" Puzzled Heather, not knowing what that meant.
"I'm coming to your party." Replied Sally.
"Oh, that's wonderful Sally!" Heather said happily.
"Anyway, I'd best be off. Have to meet my sweet babboo!" said Sally.
"Sweet babboo? Hm." Heather pondered.
Heather continued her way home with her brother.
"I hope Charlie Brown can come to my party on Saturday!" Heather said to herself.
Heather and Henry had finally arrived home where their mother was waiting.
Mrs. Wold told Heather that Charlie Brown had come over to say he would be coming to the party.
"Really? Charlie Brown's coming to my party?" Heather exclaimed.
Mrs. Wold responded yes.
"Wonderful!" cheered Heather.
The next day, Charlie Brown was sitting at a table, making a card for Heather. Suddenly, a knock on the front door was heard.
"I'll get it!" called Sally.
Sally opened the door and there was….
"Linus!" cheered Sally.
"Hey, Sally. Is your brother home?" asked Linus.
"He is. Come on in!" smiled Sally, and she escorted Linus into the house, and led him to Charlie Brown.
"Hey, Charlie Brown!" smiled Linus.
"Hi, Linus!" Charlie Brown said back.
"What are you doing?" asked Linus.
"It's the Little Red-Haired Girl's birthday on Saturday, and I wanna make a special birthday card for her." Said Charlie Brown.
"Draw a cake and some heart-shaped balloons, Charlie Brown." Suggested Linus. "And inside, write something personal."
"That's some excellent advice, Linus." Said Charlie Brown.
So Charlie Brown set to work on the birthday card, heeding Linus' advice.
Sally came in to see what the two boys were doing.
"What's going on?" asked Sally. "Is my boyfriend helping my big brother make a birthday card?"
"I am NOT your boyfriend!" growled Linus.
"Whatever you say, Sweet Babboo." Said Sally sweetly.
"Again, I am NOT your sweet babboo!" shouted Linus.
Sally sheepishly waved at Linus before leaving the two boys alone. But not before Charlie Brown had finished writing his card.
"That is so stupid! That is so enormously stupid!" said Linus angrily.
"There! All done! Have a read, Linus." Smiled Charlie Brown.
Linus picked up the card, and on the front was a cake and some red heart-shaped balloons. Linus opened the card and read…..
"Happy Birthday Heather….. from your Sweet Babboo?!" exclaimed Linus, shocked by the pet name in the card.
"It's a….. family expression." Charlie Brown sighed sheepishly.
"Er, come to my psychiatry booth, Charlie Brown, and I'll help you." suggested Linus.
Later, Charlie Brown and Linus had arrived at the Psychiatry Booth, where they met…..
"Janice?!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"Hi Charlie Brown! Hi Linus!" said Janice.
"But….." Charlie Brown stammered.
"Don't you remember, Charlie Brown?" said Janice. "Linus and I are running this psychiatry booth from now on."
"Oh yeah. After what Lucy did at the talent show." Said Charlie Brown, remembering saving Heather.
"Anyway, Charlie Brown, what are you in for?" asked Janice.
"I brought him in for…." Linus began, only for Charlie Brown to interrupt.
"Er, Linus. Since I'm the patient, I'll do the explaining." Said Charlie Brown.
"Okay." Said Linus.
Charlie Brown sat down on the stool, ready to explain his troubles.
"Heather's birthday is coming on Saturday." Said Charlie Brown. "I tried to write a birthday card for her, but Linus doesn't like what I wrote."
"He wrote 'Happy Birthday Heather. From your Sweet Babboo'." Linus explained.
"What's wrong with that?" asked Janice.
"Sally always calls me her sweet babboo, even when I tell her I'm not!" Linus said angrily.
"Sweet Babboo? But it sounds so cute!" grinned Janice.
"Anyway, what sort of gift would a Little Red-Haired Girl like Heather like?" asked Charlie Brown.
"May I suggest asking Heather what she'd like for her birthday?" asked Janice.
"No, because I wanna surprise her." Charlie Brown replied simply.
"Then my best bet is going to the store to find a gift for her." Suggested Janice.
"Well, thanks for the advice anyway, Janice!" said Charlie Brown as he got off the stool.
"Er, Charlie Brown!" called Janice as she picked up the tin and shook it.
"Oh yeah." Said Charlie Brown as he put his hand in his pocket and tossed 3 cents into the tin.
"Thanks, Charlie Brown." Smiled Janice.
"You're a much better psychiatrist than Lucy." Said Charlie Brown.
"He he. Thanks, Charlie Brown!" Janice said as she shook her tin, just to hear the tinkle of the 3 cents.
"This sound is so beautiful." Smiled Janice.
Linus, knowing his sister would say the same thing, just sighed.
"Good grief!" sighed Linus.
"Aw, come on Linus! It is a beautiful sound!" said Janice.
"But not as beautiful as you." smiled Linus, admiring Janice's long beautiful blonde hair and beautiful face.
"Aw, thanks, Linus!" Said Janice.
Over at Schroeder's place, Schroeder was playing the piano. He was playing Moonlight Sonata. As he was playing, who should come in but Frieda. She was holding in her right hand, Heather's letter to her, and the letter to Schroeder. Frieda went to relax at Schroeder's piano.
"Oh, Schroeder! Look what's come in the mail!" called Frieda.
Schroeder simply ignored Frieda while he continued to play his piano. Frieda opened her letter and read it.
"It's an invitation to Heather's birthday party on Saturday." Frieda explained.
"An invitation? Do I have one?" asked Schroeder.
"You sure do." Frieda said as she handed the letter to Schroeder, and Schroeder opened it.
"RSVP by Thursday. Well, I'll tell her I'm going!" Schroeder said.
"I'll go too." Said Frieda. "After all, Heather did help me run Lucy's psychiatry booth while Lucy was away. At least until my hair became naturally curly again!"
"Good grief! Anyway, tell Heather I'll be there." Said Schroeder.
Frieda was on her way out of Schroeder's place when she walked into Lucy, who was on her way into Schroeder's.
"What do you think you were doing at Schroeder's place?" demanded Lucy.
"I was just giving Schroeder his invitation." Said Frieda.
"An invitation? To what?" asked Lucy.
"Heather's birthday party on Saturday." Frieda explained.
"So that Red-Haired Girl is throwing a birthday party on Saturday? This Saturday?" asked Lucy.
"Yep. And I'm gonna tell her I'll be there." Said Frieda.
"Alright. If you say so." Replied Lucy.
Frieda went over to the Wold place and rang the doorbell. At this point, Heather opened the door.
"Oh! Hi, Frieda!" said Heather.
"I'll be here on Saturday." Frieda replied.
"That's wonderful, Frieda!" smiled Heather.
"After all, what's a party without a girl with naturally curly hair?" Frieda boasted.
"O…..kay. Anyway, I have to spend time with my little brother." Said Heather.
"Little brother? Oh yeah. I heard you say you're a sister now, and I was at your congratulatory party. And also, congrats on winning the talent show the other night. While I do wish Charlie Brown and I won, I'm glad you and Schroeder won." Said Frieda.
"Thanks, Frieda!" Heather replied back.
"And also, Schroeder told me he'll come too." Frieda added before leaving.
Heather, hearing this, was happy. Her party could do with some Beethoven music.
Meanwhile, Charlie Brown was at the store, looking for a present to give to Heather.
"Let's see….." Charlie Brown said to himself. "A Beethoven record? Nah. Schroeder's more likely to get her that. A pair of sandals? No. She's a gem, but she's not Peppermint Patty. A security blanket. No. I'd try getting her a pair of gloves, but no. I tried getting a pair for Peggy Jean, but she got 'em before I could afford them."
Charlie Brown was about to give up when Peppermint Patty arrived at the store. She was going to get something for Heather too.
"Hi, Chuck!" called Peppermint Patty.
"Peppermint Patty? What are you doing here?" asked Charlie Brown.
"I got a birthday invitation from Heather, and I'm finding the perfect birthday gift for her." Explained Peppermint Patty.
"That's what I was doing here, but I just couldn't figure out the right gift for her." Sighed Charlie Brown.
"Cheer up, Chuck. Something will pop in your mind, I just know it!" smiled Peppermint Patty.
Later, Peppermint Patty was walking out of the store with a shopping bag. She'd finally purchased something for Heather's birthday. Waiting outside was Marcie.
"So, you've finally decided what to get for Heather, have you, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"I sure did!" said Peppermint Patty.
"Do you think she'll like it, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"Sure she will, Marcie." Smiled Peppermint Patty. "You'll never believe it, but I saw Chuck in the store, and he was trying to do the same thing."
"Was he able to find a gift, Sir?" Marcie said.
"No, but I'm sure he'll figure it out." Peppermint Patty said.
"I'm sure he will, Sir. I'm sure he will." Said Marcie.
Later, Charlie Brown was in his beanbag, moping about being unable to think of the right gift to buy for Heather for her birthday. At this point, Sally came up to him.
"What's wrong, Big Brother?" asked Sally.
"I was trying to get a birthday gift for Heather, but nothing could pop into my mind." Said Charlie Brown.
"You're too wishy-washy, Big Brother." Said Sally.
"Really? But Heather told me I'm not that at all." Charlie Brown said.
"Oh, cheer up, Big Brother." Smiled Sally. "Something might pop into your mind."
"I hope so, Sally. I sure hope so." Charlie Brown replied. But that was easier said than done.
The next day, while waiting at the bus stop, Charlie Brown and Sally saw Linus and Janice.
"Hi, Charlie Brown." Said Linus. "Did you ask Heather what she wants for her birthday?"
"Not yet. But I will when I next see her." Said Charlie Brown.
"Don't be nervous, Charlie Brown. It's simple." Smiled Janice.
"Alright. I'll try to ask her." Said Charlie Brown.
"Don't try, just ask." Linus demanded.
At this moment, Heather walked up, also waiting for the bus.
"Hi, Heather!" called Charlie Brown.
"Hi, Charlie Brown! Hi, Linus! Hi, Janice! Hi, Sally! Waiting for the bus?" asked Heather.
"Ask her, Charlie Brown." Linus said.
Charlie Brown was ready to ask Heather, but he was too hesitant.
"Huh?!" Heather pondered.
At last, the bus arrived, the five children stepped onto the bus one at a time. Linus sat next to Janice, while Heather sat next to Charlie Brown. Heather saw the nervous look on Charlie Brown's face.
"What's wrong, Charlie Brown?" asked Heather.
Charlie Brown wanted to blurt it out, but he was too nervous.
"Don't worry, Charlie Brown." Smiled Heather. "You don't have to tell me now. Tell me when we get to school."
Linus looked back to the seat Charlie Brown and Heather were sitting, and then turned to Janice.
"Charlie Brown hasn't asked her." Linus said.
"Then he'll have to figure it out for himself, Linus." Suggested Janice.
Later, at school, Charlie Brown was at his desk. He still hadn't decided on what gift to get for Heather. Because Heather was his desk partner in class, he knew this was the right opportunity to ask her what she wanted for her birthday, but nervousness got the better of him. He hesitated because he feared Heather's other guests would be getting her the same thing he'd want to get her. Heather saw the nervous look on Charlie Brown's face.
"Something bothering you, Charlie Brown?" asked Heather.
"Er….. no, Heather." Charlie Brown lied.
Heather could tell Charlie Brown was lying, judging by the look on his face.
"Is it about my party on Saturday?" asked Heather. "If it is, then my parents told me that you told them you'll be coming."
"Well, that's great to know, but…" Charlie Brown began.
"But what, Charlie Brown? Out with it." Heather demanded.
"Is there any dancing at your party?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Of course, Charlie Brown!" said Heather. "You're always better when you're dancing."
"Oh." Said Charlie Brown.
"Anything else?" Heather demanded.
"It…. It's….." Charlie Brown began.
"Hm." Heather said.
"Oh yeah. You mean to tell me you'll be eight?" asked Charlie Brown. "And you're younger than me too."
"Well, I was bored with the first grade," Heather explained. "so I skipped to second grade, shortly before we moved into this neighbourhood."
"Oh." Charlie Brown said.
Later, Heather was doing jump rope with Frieda. Sally was jumping in the middle. While they were doing that, Charlie Brown was sitting with Linus, talking about his troubles.
"Something troubling you, Charlie Brown?" asked Linus.
"Yes. I still don't know what to get Heather for her birthday." Said Charlie Brown.
"Get her some hair dye, Charlie Brown." Suggested Linus.
"No." said Charlie Brown. "Changing her hair colour defeats the point of her being a Little Red-Haired Girl. Besides, she's beautiful as she is."
"If you say so, Charlie Brown." Sighed Linus.
"I guess I could duck into the store again after school. Meanwhile, I have to think about what kind of gift Heather wants." Said Charlie Brown.
"Come to the booth later, Charlie Brown." Suggested Linus.
"Alright, Linus." Charlie Brown decided.
Once the school day was over, Charlie Brown and Sally walked together.
"Finally decided on what to get for the Red-Haired Girl, Big Brother?" asked Sally.
"No. But I'm going to Linus' psychiatry booth now." Said Charlie Brown.
"Ooh! My sweet babboo is running his own booth now, is he?" Sally asked sweetly.
"But he says he's not your sweet babboo." Charlie Brown said.
"Well, what does he know?" Scoffed Sally.
"He and Janice are taking over Lucy's booth." Charlie Brown explained.
"And he's running it with Janice? Good grief!" sighed Sally, not liking that idea.
As Sally and Charlie Brown arrived at the psychiatry booth, there was Linus, but no Janice.
"Hi, Linus." Said Charlie Brown.
"Hi, Charlie Brown. Hey, Sally." Said Linus.
"Ooh! It's so cute that my boyfriend is running a psychiatry booth." Sally said sweetly.
"I am NOT your boyfriend!" shouted Linus. He then turned to Charlie Brown. "Take a seat, Charlie Brown."
Charlie Brown sat on the stool. Because there was only one, Sally couldn't sit down.
"Rats! Oh well, I have to get Heather her birthday gift. Bye, Big Brother! Bye, Sweet Babboo!" said Sally.
"See you at home, Sally." Said Charlie Brown.
"And for the four hundred and eighty-eighth time this week, I am NOT your sweet babboo!" shouted Linus, tired of that pet name.
"Say, where's Janice?" asked Charlie Brown.
"She's gone to get a gift for Heather." Said Linus.
"I see." Said Charlie Brown.
"Anyway, Charlie Brown. Still haven't decided on the right gift for Heather?" asked Linus.
"No, Linus. I'm afraid not." Said Charlie Brown sadly.
"Take my advice, Charlie Brown." Said Linus. "Ask Heather what kinds of things she'd like."
"I tried to this morning, but I was too nervous." Charlie Brown replied.
"Good grief, Charlie Brown!" groaned Linus.
"Then my best bet is to think of what to get her, I'm afraid." Suggested Charlie Brown.
Then, Charlie Brown remembered what Heather had gotten him for his birthday, and remembered when she stayed over while her brother was born.
"I've got it!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
"Got what?" asked Linus.
"I just thought of something she'd love!" Charlie Brown replied.
"What's that?" asked Linus.
"Er….. I'll show you on Saturday." Replied Charlie Brown.
"Very well, Charlie Brown." Said Linus.
Charlie Brown simply placed three cents into the tin.
"Thank you for your help, Linus!" said Charlie Brown as he left.
"Anything for my best buddy." Smiled Linus.
As Charlie Brown got home, he remembered the merchandise Sally sold on Charlie Brown Day, and looked around to see if there was any unsold merchandise.
"I know!" suggested Charlie Brown. "Since Heather gave me two gifts for my birthday, it's only fair I return the deed with three gifts for hers."
Once Charlie Brown had found the unsold merchandise, he'd placed it on his desk, and wrapped it in yellow wrapping paper and a black zigzagged ribbon.
"There. That's one gift for Heather. Now, two more. I got it!"
Charlie Brown dashed to the stores to purchase some other gifts for Heather. He did get one gift from the store, but because the stores couldn't sell the other thing he thought of, Charlie Brown decided to go to a do-it-yourself toy shop and make his own gift for Heather. Once he'd gotten home, he'd wrapped one gift in turquoise wrapping paper and a red ribbon. Then, he wrapped another in pink wrapping paper and a purple ribbon.
"There. Now that Little Red-Haired Girl will be most surprised on Saturday!" smiled Charlie Brown.
At this moment, Sally had returned home.
"Hey, Big Brother! What are you doing?" asked Sally.
"I've just wrapped up my gifts for Heather." Charlie Brown explained.
"Gifts?" Sally was surprised.
"Yes. Gifts." Charlie Brown smiled.
"Atta boy, Big Brother!" Sally cheered.
The next day, as Charlie Brown was having lunch with Linus, he told him what had happened.
"Did you get the gifts for Heather, Charlie Brown?" Linus asked.
"I sure did!" smiled Charlie Brown. "I'm sure she'll like them! Thanks for doing your best to help me, Linus."
"Anything for my best buddy." Said Linus.
"What about me?" asked Janice.
"Oh. Hi, Janice. I'd like to thank you for helping me out too." Smiled Charlie Brown.
"Anytime, Charlie Brown. Anytime." Said Janice.
"Say, Janice. Would you like me to push you on the swing?" asked Linus.
"Yes please, Linus!" smiled Janice.
"Well, I have to push Janice on the swing. Glad I could help you, Charlie Brown." Said Linus.
"Thanks again, Linus." Charlie Brown replied.
As Linus and Janice got to the swing, Janice sat down, and Linus pushed her several times. Janice went singing back and forth, back and forth, her long beautiful blonde hair swaying about in the breeze. Linus watched with delight as Janice enjoyed herself.
"You go, Janice!" called Linus.
"You're the best swing pusher, Linus!" Janice called back.
"And you're the most beautiful girl here, Janice." Linus added.
Janice continued to sit on the swing, laughing with joy. Linus watched her with delight in his eyes.
Saturday had arrived, and Charlie Brown got himself dressed in a dinner suit. He wanted to look his best for Heather's party. But this time, he chose a navy dinner suit and a red bow tie.
"Charlie Brown, looking smart!" he said to himself. "Wait a second! Heather said there'll be dancing at her party. Hmmm….. I could call up Emily and she can help me remember my dance moves."
Charlie Brown went to the phone to talk to Emily. Emily was at home, dressed in her rose sleeveless shirt, a rose ruffled skirt, a rose bow in her hair, rose socks, and black Mary Jane shoes. She heard the phone, and she answered it.
"Hello?" Emily answered.
"Oh, hi Emily." Said Charlie Brown.
"Charles! Is that you?" asked Emily.
"It is. I just called to ask you to reteach me dancing." Said Charlie Brown.
"I would love to help you, Charles!" smiled Emily.
After a short while of the phone call, Charlie Brown was making his way out, while Sally sat in her beanbag.
"Where are you going, Big Brother?" asked Sally. "The party's not until two."
"To practice my dancing for the party. I'd forgotten my dance moves." Charlie Brown answered.
"Anything you say, Big Brother." Said Sally. "Hmm…. Now that he's dressed early, I'd best dress for the party too. I know! I'll wear a bow in my hair!"
Sally went up to her room to find the right sort of bow to wear in her hair. First….
"Light coral?" Sally started. "Nope. Hot Flamingo? No. Doesn't go with my dress. Purple? Blegh! Blue? Well, I could wear my blue dress today."
Sally changed into her blue polka dotted dress, and put the blue bow into her cluster of hair curls.
"Sally Brown, still as cute as before!" She said to herself sweetly.
Sally looked at her desk and saw a gift wrapped in blue paper and a pink ribbon.
"Ooh. Can't forget the gift for Heather." Smiled Sally.
Meanwhile, Charlie Brown was at Emily's place. He knocked on the door, and who should come out but Emily.
"Hi, Emily!" called Charlie Brown.
"Hello, Charles! I love that suit you're wearing!" smiled Emily.
"Thanks, Emily. Well, I'm here to remember my dancing skills, because I'm going to a party later." Charlie Brown explained.
"What a fun coincidence, Charles! I'm dressed for that too!" smiled Emily.
"You're invited to Heather's party too?" asked Charlie Brown.
"I sure am!" smiled Emily.
"Anyway, let's practice." Charlie Brown said.
"Great idea, Charles!" Emily cried.
So Emily put on the record player, and the music started to play
"Are you ready, Charles?" asked Emily.
"Er…. I'm still thinking about it!" Charlie Brown said nervously.
"Well then, Charles! Don't think about it! Just move your body! Listen to the music, sing! Oh, ey, oh!"
Back at the Brown place, Snoopy, hearing about Heather's party, had baked a cake. The cake had three layers. The top was covered in red icing, the middle was covered in yellow icing, and the bottom was covered in green icing. The top layer had "HAPPY" written in yellow, the middle layer had "BIRTHDAY" written in blue, and the bottom layer had "HEATHER" written in orange. Also on the top, were eight candles. Snoopy thought the cake looked delicious.
"Mmm!" smiled Snoopy.
Woodstock flew down and looked at the cake Snoopy had made. He thought it delicious too.
"Yay! Ha ha ha ha!" Woodstock chattered.
Snoopy started to wheel the cake out of the Brown yard. He thought the cake was so delicious, he started to eat it slice by slice. Woodstock chittered angrily at his canine friend.
"Oh? Hm." Snoopy sighed sadly.
Snoopy continued to eat the cake until it was all gone.
As Snoopy had reached Heather's house, he rang the doorbell. Who should answer but Heather. Heather had dressed in her finest. A purple dress, a lavender bow in her hair, purple socks, and white Mary Jane shoes.
"Snoopy! Huh?!" Heather pondered. Then she looked at the tray Snoopy had put the cake on.
"Where's my cake?" Heather asked.
Snoopy looked at it, and just whistled innocently.
"Not to worry, Snoopy." Smiled Heather. "Look in the backyard."
Snoopy and Woodstock went into the backyard, and there was Fifi. She had improvised. The cake had four layers. The top layer covered in pink icing, and written in yellow, "HAPPY", the second-to-top layer covered in yellow icing, and written in blue, "8th", the second-to-bottom layer covered in pink icing, and written in yellow, "BIRTHDAY", and the bottom layer covered in brown icing, and written in yellow, "HEATHER". On the top layer were eight pink candles to show that Heather is eight.
"Oooooh!" Snoopy and Woodstock cooed.
"He he!" giggled Fifi.
Back at Emily's, Charlie Brown had finished dancing with her.
"You got the moves, Charles?" asked Emily.
"I hope so, Emily." Said Charlie Brown.
"Anyway, since it's half an hour till two, we'd best get going!" said Emily.
"Half an hour until two?!" cried Charlie Brown. "Good grief! The party will start soon! Her presents!"
Charlie Brown ran out of Emily's house as fast as he could.
"The party will start soon, I just know it!" Charlie Brown panicked.
Just ahead, Violet Gray and Patty Swanson were on their way to Heather's party. They had jump ropes in between them.
"Do you think Heather will allow jump rope games at her party?" asked Violet.
"Only one way to find out." Patty replied.
Charlie Brown was running as fast as he could home, he ran right through Violet and Patty's jump ropes, getting caught in it, tying the two girls in them.
"Charlie Brown!" cried Violet and Patty.
Charlie Brown ran straight through, causing the ropes to untie and send Violet and Patty into the air, landing on their backs.
"Sorry, Violet! Sorry, Patty!" called Charlie Brown.
"You blockhead!" said Violet angrily.
Peppermint Patty and Marcie were on their way to Heather's party. Peppermint Patty had a gift wrapped in red paper and a green ribbon, while Marcie had a gift wrapped in orange paper and a black ribbon.
"Do you think Heather will like my gift, Sir?" asked Marcie.
"One way to find out, Marcie." Said Peppermint Patty. "And until we get there, stop calling me 'Sir'."
"Anything you say, Ma'am." Said Marcie.
Peppermint Patty was about to wince when Charlie Brown raced through.
"Whoa! Did you see that, Marcie?" exclaimed Peppermint Patty.
"Charles sure can run fast in that smart suit, can't he, Ma'am?" Marcie replied.
"Can't stop! Gotta prepare for the party!" Charlie Brown panicked.
At last, Charlie Brown had reached home, and ran upstairs to get his gifts for Heather.
"Oh yeah! A birthday card for her!" Charlie Brown said to himself.
Charlie Brown set to work on the kind of birthday card Heather would like, and made it. Once he'd done, he slipped the card into an envelope, and wrote:
To: Heather Wold.
From: Charlie Brown.
"There. She's sure to like this birthday card I made for her." Smiled Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown carefully walked down, but ended up falling.
"Are you alright, Big Brother?" asked Sally. "Come on! The party's starting!"
"Right! Just let me pick myself up!" said Charlie Brown as he got up.
Charlie Brown was glad Heather lived right across from him. As Sally encouraged him, Charlie Brown got up, and the two Brown siblings walked out the door. Charlie Brown was worried he'd be late. He rang the doorbell. And who should answer it but Heather.
"Oh! Hi, Charlie Brown! Hi, Sally!" smiled Heather.
"Heather! Hello! Er…. Happy birthday!" Charlie Brown cried.
"Oh, thank you, Charlie Brown!" smiled Heather.
"Er…. Are we late?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Not at all, Charlie Brown." Said Heather. "In fact, you came here at just the right time."
"This is for you, Heather." Said Sally, showing her the present.
"Place the present in the living room. I'll open it when it's time." Said Heather.
The next guest to arrive was Frieda. Frieda had dressed in her magenta party dress with a white collar, magenta socks, and black Mary Jane shoes. In her hands was a purple gift wrapped in a curly white ribbon.
"Happy birthday, Heather!" called Frieda.
"Aw, thank you, Frieda!" smiled Heather.
"Look at what I'm giving you, Heather. Doesn't the ribbon remind you of my naturally curly hair?" asked Frieda.
"Er…. Yes, Frieda." Sighed Heather.
Frieda handed the gift to Heather, and she placed it with Sally's present.
"Come on in, Frieda! Join the fun!" Heather demanded.
"The only reason I'm here!" smiled Frieda.
The next two guests to arrive were Linus and Janice. In Linus' hands, there was a gift wrapped in red paper and a blue ribbon. The gift in Janice's hands was wrapped in dark pink paper and a lighter pink ribbon as well as a card.
"Linus! Janice!" Heather cried.
"Hi, Heather! Happy birthday!" Janice said.
"Happy birthday, Heather!" Linus added.
"Thank you, guys!" said Heather gratefully. "Place the gifts with the others and join the fun! Games and food galore!"
"Thanks, Heather!" Janice and Linus said.
As Linus and Janice placed their gifts with the others, Sally was shocked to see Linus and Janice.
"What's going on here?!" Sally shouted. "Janice! What are you doing with my sweet babboo?"
"We're just placing our gifts to Heather with the others." Janice explained. "And Linus is not your sweet babboo."
"He is too!" Sally argued.
"I am not!" Linus broke in.
"Sally and Janice fighting again? Good grief!" Heather sighed.
At last, all the other guests had arrived. After Linus and Janice came Lucy, who had a gift wrapped in blue paper and a white ribbon.
Next came Peppermint Patty and Marcie with their gifts.
After that came Franklin, who's gift was wrapped in orange paper and a blue ribbon.
Then came Emily, who had a gift wrapped in spring green paper and a rose ribbon.
Next was Shermy. His gift was wrapped in red paper and a green ribbon.
After that came Eudora. Her gift was wrapped in purple paper and a blue ribbon.
After Eudora came Rerun. His gift was wrapped in white paper and a red ribbon.
Next was Pig-Pen. His gift was wrapped in brown paper and a light blue ribbon. It was covered in dust.
The next guest to arrive was the guest Heather didn't expect because of her address.
"Mimi!" cried Heather excitedly.
There was Mimi, who had gotten out of her gardening hat and her gardening dress, and was wearing a pink skirt in its place.
"Hi, Heather! Happy birthday!" said Mimi.
"I never thought you'd make it, Mimi." Heather replied.
"My parents thought they'd drop me here while they visit my grandma." Said Mimi. "Here, I brought you a gift."
In Mimi's hands, there was a gift wrapped in pink paper and a white ribbon.
"Thank you, Mimi." Said Heather. "Place it with the others, and I'll open it when it's time."
The next guest to arrive was Schroeder.
"Schroeder! Glad you could make it!" smiled Heather.
"Hi, Heather! Happy birthday! Look what I brought you!" said Schroeder.
In Schroeder's right hand was his toy piano, and in his left hand was a gift wrapped in purple paper and a yellow ribbon.
"Thanks, Schroeder." Said Heather. "Place it with the other gifts, and I'll open it when the time comes. Meanwhile, I could do with some music by Ludwig von Beethoven."
"Wow! And you know his first name too!" Schroeder exclaimed.
The next guest to arrive was….
"Peggy Jean!" Heather exclaimed.
There was Peggy Jean, wearing a similar outfit to Heather's, except it was a bright green. And the bow in her hair was bright green.
"Weather Hold!" Peggy Jean exclaimed back.
"Weather Hold?!" Heather said in confusion.
Heather was puzzled by what Peggy Jean had just called her, only to remember what Peggy Jean calls Charlie Brown.
"Oh yeah." Heather remembered.
"Happy Birthday! Here, I brought you a gift." Peggy Jean said.
In Peggy Jean's hands was a gift wrapped in pink paper and a green ribbon.
"Thanks, Peggy Jean. I'll place it with my other gifts." Said Heather, taking the gift off Peggy Jean.
The person to come in after Peggy Jean was…
"Floyd!" Heather called.
"Hi, Heather! Happy birthday!" said Floyd.
"Did I invite you? Oh yeah. I did. Well, thanks, Floyd." Said Heather.
"I thought I'd come because I had a feeling my lamb cake would be here." Smiled Floyd.
"Lamb cake?!" Heather said. "I'm not….."
"Here. I brought you something." Floyd added.
In Floyd's hands was a gift wrapped in orange paper and a green ribbon.
"Thanks, Floyd." Heather said.
The last guests to arrive were…..
"Violet! Patty! Hello!" Heather called.
"Hi, Heather! Happy birthday!" Violet said.
"Happy birthday, Heather!" Patty Swanson added.
"Thanks!" Smiled Heather.
Then, Heather saw they each had a gift. Violet's gift was wrapped in violet paper and a green ribbon, while Patty's gift was wrapped in green paper and an orange ribbon.
"So….. where do we put these?" asked Violet.
"Place them with the other gifts. I'll open them when it's time." Heather explained.
While Violet and Patty put the gifts with the others, Heather, seeing that everyone had arrived, made her official announcement.
"Alright, everyone! Let's start the party!" Heather shouted.
"Yay!"
"Let's start with a game!" Heather decided. "How about a game of musical chairs?"
"Musical chairs? That sounds like a blast!" Peppermint Patty exclaimed.
So Heather got out ten chairs.
"Unfortunately, there's only twenty-one of us, so we'll have to play in groups of eleven or ten." Said Heather.
"Aw!"
"Not to worry. We can have more fun this way." Heather said.
So the first group containing eleven were Charlie Brown, Sally, Peppermint Patty, Marcie, Franklin, Schroeder, Lucy, Linus, Frieda, Pig-Pen and Heather. Janice was at the record player, ready to play the music. She put the needle on the record, and the music played. And Heather started singing;
"It's time for musical chairs, come on, let's go!
Set up the chairs, now all in a row!
You run around the chairs until the music stops!
You have to find a seat, now don't get caught,
'cause when the music stops…"
Janice pulled the needle off the record player, and everyone but Pig-Pen took a seat, meaning Pig-Pen was out.
"You can't be standing there, if you wanna be a winner at musical chairs!"
Heather took one chair away, leaving nine.
"You take away a chair while you're running around,
Don't let the kid in front of you get you down.
Just listen to the rhythm now don't miss a beat,
'cause you don't wanna be the only one without a seat,
'cause when the music stops….."
Everyone but Frieda took a seat, meaning Frieda was out.
"You can't be standing there, if you wanna be a winner at musical chairs!"
Heather took another chair away, leaving eight.
"Now, every time the music stops,
you're gonna end up one chair short!"
Everyone but Lucy took their chair, meaning Lucy was out.
"And if you're boo-ga-looin when the music's gone,
Sorry, you gotta move on!"
The game went on and on until there was one chair left, and Charlie Brown and Heather were the only ones left.
"Now it's the moment of truth, it's getting down to the wire,
You're burning up inside with musical fire.
You hover around each corner of that precious seat,
Waiting for that moment you can get off your feet,
'cause when the music stops…."
The music stopped, and Heather took the seat, meaning she'd won the game. Charlie Brown jumped on her lap. Then, he blushed, knowing he's the runner up.
"You can't be standing there,
if you wanna be a winner,
You have to be a winner!
If you wanna be a winner at….. musical chairs!
Yeah!"
The next game of musical chairs was on. Heather was at the record player, and the contestants were Janice, Floyd, Peggy Jean, Violet, Patty, Shermy, Mimi, Emily, Rerun, and Eudora. They did the same thing as the group of eleven. Predictably, Janice won the game.
"Well done, Janice!" cheered Heather.
"Thanks, Heather!" said Janice.
After that, it was time for some Beethoven music. Schroeder had an idea. And he winked at Heather.
"Er, Heather." Said Schroeder. "I'll play Beethoven on my piano. I have a little something for you later."
Schroeder sat at his piano, and played Moonlight Sonata, and Heather was so delighted by the music, she danced to it. Lucy even had another idea. She rested at Schroeder's piano, admiring his playing skills. Schroeder noticed this and pulled the piano away, causing Lucy to land on her back.
"Rats!" cried Lucy.
Everyone else watched and laughed. Then, Schroeder set up his piano again and played it some more.
Mrs. Wold called out about the cake.
"Yay! Cake time!"
Everybody went into the dining room where Fifi had placed the cake.
"Ooooh!"
Woodstock held out a match, Snoopy held the matchbox, and Woodstock scraped the box, setting the matchstick on fire, ready to light all eight candles of Heather's cake.
Once everyone had finished singing to Heather, Heather was ready to blow them out.
"Blow them out, Heather!" called Janice.
"Wait! Heather! You need to make a wish!" Marcie said.
"I don't need to make a wish," smiled Heather. "because I have everything I need. A nice neighbourhood, a faithful dog, and the best friends a Little Red-Haired Girl like me could ever have, especially Good Old Charlie Brown."
Everyone held their hearts, and Charlie Brown held his heart, and blushed just as red as Heather's hair.
"But then again…" Heather said, looking to the top of her head, and thought her wish. Once she'd done, she blew all her candles out.
"Yay!"
Mrs. Wold called out it was time for Heather to open her gifts.
"Yay! Present time! Come on, everyone!" Heather called.
Everyone went into Heather's living room, and got ready to give their presents to Heather.
"Er, Charlie Brown?" Heather asked.
"Me?" Charlie Brown exclaimed.
"Would you like to give me your present?" Heather asked sweetly.
"Er….." Charlie Brown stammered.
"Heather, let me go first." Linus decided.
Linus went over to his gift, and handed it to Heather. As Heather opened it…
"A model of a pumpkin." Exclaimed Heather.
"Not just any pumpkin, Heather." Linus said. "It's a model of the Great Pumpkin. He only appears at Halloween, and brings toys to all believing children."
"Good grief!" Lucy groaned, not liking Linus' belief in the Great Pumpkin.
"Well…. Thanks, Linus." Said Heather.
The next person to give Heather a gift was Frieda.
"Careful when you untie the ribbon." Said Frieda, not wanting Heather to ruin the curliness of the ribbon.
"Whatever you say, Frieda." Said Heather as she opened the gift.
Heather carefully untied the ribbon, and out of the paper came…..
"A hair curler?" Heather exclaimed, examining the pink hair curler.
"In case you wanna have naturally curly hair like yours truly." Frieda bragged.
"But I love my hair the way it is." Heather said.
"Well, it's just in case you wanna make the curls in your hair curl some more." Frieda added, pointing to the curls at the end of Heather's hair.
"Well, thanks, Frieda. It's the thought that counts." Heather said with gratitude.
After that came Floyd.
"Here, Heather. I picked this one out for you." Floyd said.
Heather opened Floyd's gift, and there was….
"A stuffed lamb?" Heather said.
"Well, I thought you'd like that to remind you of my lamb cake." Floyd explained.
Marcie, hearing this, shot a glare at Floyd.
"Well, thanks, Floyd. It's so soft!" Heather said, feeling the lamb.
Up next was Peppermint Patty. She picked out her gift for Heather. Heather opened it and inside was…..
"A baseball glove!" Heather exclaimed.
"Not just any baseball glove, Heather!" said Peppermint Patty. "Look at the top!"
Heather looked at the top and there was a picture of Heather's head with Charlie Brown's head, and a love heart on top.
"Aw!" Heather swooned.
"After that talent show, I decided you can have Chuck, so I customised this for you." Peppermint Patty explained.
"Thanks, Patty." Heather said.
The next to give Heather a gift was Marcie. She reached for her gift, and gave it to Heather. Heather opened it, and inside was….
"A comic book! And there's my face!" Heather said, examining the book .
"Not just any comic book. It contains strips where Charles mentions you." said Marcie.
Heather read through the book, and noticed there were pictures of Charlie Brown pining for a girl known as the Little Red-Haired Girl.
"Oh, isn't Charlie Brown charming? I guess I should call him Charmie Brown." Giggled Heather. "Well, thanks, Marcie. I appreciate this book."
Heather opened Franklin's gift for her, and out came…..
"A baseball signed by Joe Shlabotnik!" Heather exclaimed.
Then, Eudora gave Heather a gift, and inside was…..
"A microphone! My very own microphone!" Heather cried.
Heather opened Lucy's gift, and out came…..
"A tiara! And it's got emeralds in it!" smiled Heather.
"As it is my dream to become queen of the world, I thought the princess would need a tiara to celebrate her special day." Lucy boasted.
"Thanks, Lucy." Said Heather.
The next gift was from Rerun. Heather opened it, and she got…..
"A pink sand bucket?" said Heather.
"Not just any sand bucket. Look at the sides." Rerun explained.
Heather looked to the sides, and…..
"Wow! There's Charlie Brown's face! And mine! Thanks, Rerun! Now I can think of Charlie Brown when I make sandcastles." Said Heather.
After Rerun, it was Peggy Jean's turn. Heather opened the gift, and inside was…..
"A pair of gloves!" Heather cried, looking at the pink gloves.
"Brownie Charles wanted to get me a gift like that, so I thought I'd get a pair for you." said Peggy Jean.
"Well, thanks, Peggy Jean." Smiled Heather.
After that, it was Violet and Patty's turn.
"Oh, I wonder what Violet and Patty got for me." Heather said to herself.
"Here, Heather. This is from me." said Violet, handing Heather her gift.
Heather opened Violet's gift, and inside was…..
"Lipstick? And blush?" Heather exclaimed.
"It's to pretty you up." Said Violet.
"Thanks, Violet, but I'm a bit young for makeup." Heather said.
"Then you'll like my gift better." Said Patty Swanson.
Heather opened Patty's gift for her, and there was…..
"Red hair dye?" Heather exclaimed.
"You are called the Red-Haired Girl for a reason." Patty explained.
"Thanks, Patty, but I don't dye my hair. My hair is naturally red." Heather said.
"Oh." Sighed Patty.
"It's the thought that counts." Heather said.
After Violet and Patty came Shermy. He gave Heather his gift for her, and Heather opened it up…..
"A baseball bat?" Heather said.
"Not just any baseball bat. It's a lucky baseball bat for your next baseball game." Said Shermy.
"Thanks, Shermy." Smiled Heather.
After Shermy, it was Mimi's turn.
"Let me present this gift to you, Heather." Mimi proudly announced while giving her gift to Heather.
Heather opened up the gift, and inside was…..
"It's heath." Said Heather.
"Not just any heath." Mimi explained. "This heath is called a heather. Do you like it, Heather?"
"Like it? I love it! It reminds me of me!" Heather said, due to the plant having her name. "Thank you, Mimi!"
After that came Pig-Pen's gift. Heather opened it and…..
"Good grief! It's just dirt." Heather sighed.
"Not just any dirt. You can use it to grow your heather." Pig-Pen explained.
"That's so clever!" Heather decided. "Thanks, Pig-Pen!"
Next, Sally had her gift for Heather. Heather opened it up and…..
"It's a notepad!" Heather said.
"Just what you need to write without having to use a desk." Sally explained.
"Thanks, Sally." Smiled Heather.
Next up, Schroeder presented Heather with his gift to her. Heather opened it up and…..
"It's a music album!" said Heather excitedly.
"Not just any music album. It's a Beethoven record." Said Schroeder.
"Oh, Schroeder! You knew I love Beethoven! Thank you!" Heather said gratefully.
It was Janice's turn. She got her gift and handed it to Heather. Once Heather opened it…..
"A miniature swing set!" Heather cried.
"Since Linus likes to push me on the swings, I thought you'd like to simulate a swing set." Said Janice.
"Thank you, Janice!" smiled Heather.
Next, Emily gave Heather her gift. Heather opened it up, and…..
"Another music album?" Heather said.
"Not just any music album. It's the same album I gave Charles for his birthday." Emily explained.
"Thanks, Emily." Smiled Heather.
"Anytime." Emily said.
"Now, that leaves Charlie Brown's gift for me, but I'll open it later. For now, let's dance!" Heather decided.
Heather took the record, and put it on the record player. She searched for a song, and then put the needle in. Better When I'm Dancing played. Everybody got up and danced. Mimi danced the same way as Janice.
Later, it was time to eat the cake, and everybody got a slice. All except for Charlie Brown.
"Good grief! It happened again." Charlie Brown sighed.
Heather looked at Charlie Brown's face.
"Charlie Brown?" Heather called.
Charlie sat on the couch, feeling left out as usual.
"What good is a party when the guests won't leave you a piece of birthday cake?" sighed Charlie Brown. "And when she gets good birthday presents that….."
Then, a thought struck Charlie Brown. He suddenly realised.
"Good grief!" exclaimed Charlie Brown. "Her presents! I forgot to give Heather my presents!"
Charlie Brown got off the couch and ran out of Heather's house to get his gifts to her.
"Charlie Brown?" Heather called.
Heather walked over to the front door to see Charlie Brown dash into his house.
"What is he up to now?" Heather wondered.
At last, Charlie Brown returned with his gifts and envelope.
"Charlie Brown?!" exclaimed Heather.
"Sorry about that, Heather! I forgot to bring you my gifts!" Charlie Brown said.
"Wow! And you gave me three gifts!" exclaimed Heather.
"You gave me two gifts for my birthday," said Charlie Brown. "so it's only fair I give you three."
"Wow! Place them in front of me." Heather said.
Charlie Brown put the three gifts and envelope in front of Heather, and Heather handed him a plate.
"Here, Charlie Brown." Said Heather. "I've saved you four pieces of my cake."
"Oh, Heather! You shouldn't have!" exclaimed Charlie Brown.
Charlie Brown happily ate his four pieces. One piece had pink icing, two had yellow icing, and one had brown icing.
"Aren't you gonna open my presents?" asked Charlie Brown.
"I'll open them when you've finished your pieces." Heather decided.
Once Charlie Brown had finished eating his pieces of cake, Heather opened the yellow gift. Inside was…..
"I don't believe it, Charlie Brown!" cried Heather.
"What?" Charlie Brown asked.
Inside the yellow gift was a plush doll of Charlie Brown.
"It's a plush doll of you!" smiled Heather.
"My sister wasn't able to sell those on Charlie Brown Day, so I decided to pick one out just for you." Charlie Brown explained.
"Big Brother!" Sally cried.
"Go on. Open my next one." Said Charlie Brown.
Heather got the turquoise gift, and opened it. Inside was…..
"Wow! It's a crown!" Heather cried happily.
Indeed it was. A gold queen's crown. Heather put the crown on her head.
"I feel just like a queen wearing this! And it's a perfect fit too!" Heather said delightfully.
"Open my last gift, Heather." Charlie Brown said.
Heather took off her crown, and opened the pink gift. Out came…..
"Aw, they're so cute!" cooed Heather.
There were two figures Charlie Brown had customised himself. A figure of Charlie Brown, and a figure of Heather.
"And they're in scale with the swing set Janice gave me!" Heather added.
"There's just one more thing you need to open. And that's that envelope." Charlie Brown explained.
Heather opened the envelope, and out came a card with a picture of a birthday cake and some colourful love heart balloons. It read "Happy Birthday Heather"
"The cover! It's so beautiful!" Heather exclaimed delightfully.
"Read the inside, Heather!" Charlie Brown said.
Heather opened the card, and read:
"Dear Heather,
Just a letter from me to you,
A birthday card from your sweet babboo."
Linus looked angrily, not liking the idea of Charlie Brown using the term, and knowing that's where Sally got the pet name from.
"the someone you know, who'll love you forever,
Happy Birthday, beautiful red-haired Heather.
Sincerely,
Charlie Brown."
Everyone watching and hearing held their hearts. Heather clasped the card to her heart.
"Charlie Brown!" cried Heather.
"So, do you like my gifts and card?" asked Charlie Brown.
"No. No I don't." Heather said with an emotionless expression.
"What?!" Charlie Brown cried in surprise. "You don't?! What do you mean you don't like them?"
"I love them!" said Heather, feeling happier than ever. "Charlie Brown! These are the best gifts I could ever receive from anyone!"
"They're that good, huh?" Charlie Brown said.
"Thank you, Charlie Brown!" Heather said, more grateful than she'd ever been. "I can't thank you enough for these gifts!"
Heather was so grateful for the gifts Charlie Brown gave her, she kissed his right cheek for a good fifteen seconds. Charlie Brown, feeling the long kiss, blushed redder than Heather's hair. After she'd finished kissing him, Charlie Brown looked at Heather, and chuckled sheepishly from the kiss.
At last, the party was over, and it was time for everyone to leave. As Frieda was about to leave, Heather caught her, while holding her bottle of red hair dye.
"Frieda!" called Heather.
"Yes, Heather?" asked Frieda.
"I don't really need this red hair dye, so I thought maybe you can have it for your naturally curly hair." Said Heather.
"Really? Thanks, Heather!" Frieda said.
Linus saw Heather go up to her room with all the gifts she'd received.
"Wow! And she likes our gifts!" said Linus.
"She sure did, Linus!" smiled Janice.
"I was worried for a second, she wouldn't like mine, but sometimes, luck perseveres." Charlie Brown said.
Heather put the pot of heather on her desk, placed her Charlie Brown doll on her bedside table, her sand bucket in her wardrobe, her comic book on her bookshelf, and placed her miniature swing set on the desk. Then, she placed her Charlie Brown figure and her Heather figure on the swing set.
"Aw! A perfect fit!" Heather said sweetly.
Heather went back down to see that only four people hadn't left. Charlie Brown, Linus, Mimi, and Janice.
"Oh, are you still here?" Heather asked the four kids.
"I'm still here. Do you like the pot of heather I got you?" asked Mimi.
"I love it, Mimi." Said Heather.
"Anyway, I have to go now. My parents are waiting at my grandmother's house. Well, goodbye, Heather, and thank you for inviting me!" smiled Mimi as she departed.
"Anytime, Mimi." Smiled Heather.
"So, do you like the swing set I got you?" Janice asked.
"I sure do, Janice!" said Heather. "And my little figure of me and Charlie Brown fit perfectly!"
"That's amazing, Heather!" smiled Janice.
"Well, thanks for coming, and a big thank you for the present." Said Heather, hugging Janice.
"Anything for you, Heather!" said Janice.
"And Linus. Thank you for the model of the Great Pumpkin." Heather said to Linus.
"Anytime, Heather! Well, we have to go now. Come on, Janice. Goodbye, Heather." Said Linus.
"Bye, Linus! Bye, Janice!" called Heather.
Heather then turned to Charlie Brown.
"Hi, Charlie Brown! Still here?" Heather asked him.
"I am. Anyway, Heather, I just wanted to say I had a wonderful time here today." Said Charlie Brown.
"I enjoyed my party too, Charlie Brown. The dancing, the games, and most especially….." Heather paused.
"Especially what?" asked Charlie Brown.
"The presents you gave me!" Heather continued. "That doll of you is so cute! That crown you gave me is so shiny and golden! The figures you made for me fit the swing set perfectly! And the card you made me was so beautiful!"
"Wow!" Charlie Brown cried.
"Thanks again for the wonderful gifts, Charlie Brown!" smiled Heather.
"Well…. Er…." Charlie Brown stammered, cheeks all red.
"Stay a little longer, Charlie Brown!" smiled Heather. "While we're the only ones here, we might as well dance together."
So, Heather put on the record player, and Better When I'm Dancing started playing.
"What are you doing, Charlie Brown? Are you thinking about dancing?" asked Heather innocently.
"Yes." Said Charlie Brown.
"Well then," Heather began, and then she sang: "don't think about it! Just move your body! Listen to the music and sing! Oh, ey, oh!"
So Heather got up and twirled. Then, she placed her right hand in Charlie Brown's left. Charlie Brown and Heather both danced together. Next, they placed their hands on each other's backs, and waltzed together. Eyes closed, broad smiles on their face. They were both happy to be dancing with each other.
At last, Heather and Charlie Brown were tired out.
"Wow! That was some dance we did, Charlie Brown!" said Heather
"Indeed it was." Said Charlie Brown, but then he remembered. "Er…. I have to go home now, Heather."
"Wait, Charlie Brown! Before you go," Heather began.
"Yes?" Charlie Brown quizzed.
"I just want to tell you that this has been the best birthday I've ever had! And it's one I will never forget! You want to know why?" Heather said.
"Yes?" asked Charlie Brown.
"Because of you." said Heather. "You gave me the best gifts a Little Red-Haired Girl like me could ever receive from anyone, and the best birthday card ever written!"
"Really?" Charlie Brown quizzed again.
"It was great to see you attend this party." Smiled Heather.
"It was a pleasure to attend." Said Charlie Brown.
"Well, bye, Charlie Brown!" said Heather.
"Bye, Heather! And happy birthday!" said Charlie Brown.
"Also, thanks again for the gifts and card, Charlie Brown!" Heather said again as she wrapped her arms around Charlie Brown's shoulders, giving him an enormous hug, and then kissed his left cheek for a good thirty seconds. As Heather let go, Charlie Brown simply blushed and chuckled nervously.
Heather watched as Charlie Brown left her house and walked across the road. Charlie Brown was still red in the face from Heather's hug and kiss, he vowed to treasure her party forever.
"Wow!" Heather exclaimed.
Heather went back to her room to admire the gifts she'd received. She put the Charlie Brown figure behind her Heather figure, and simulated Charlie Brown giving her a push.
"Such a cute gift this!" Heather said, admiring the swing set and the figures of herself and Charlie Brown.
Heather walked over to her Charlie Brown doll, picked it up, and hugged it.
"This doll is so cute! I will treasure it for always and always!" smiled Heather.
Heather was so happy with the gifts she'd received, well, except for the ones Violet and Patty gave her, she picked up the birthday card Charlie Brown got for her, clasped it to her heart, and then picked up her Charlie Brown doll, wrapped it in her left arm, and lay on her bed in delight. She was especially delighted with the gifts and card Charlie Brown got her. She thought this to be the best birthday she'd ever had.