(Illustration by Josie Baughan)

“Here’s your present, Kevin,” said his Grandma. She handed him a brightly wrapped box. “Now mind and don’t open it until your birthday.”

It was the Easter holidays and Kevin was spending them at his Grandma’s house. “Thanks Grandma,” he said, and gave her a big hug. Then because he felt so happy ran around the garden, flapping his arms like a goose. “It’s fun here,” he cried. “Sooo much fun.”

“But you’ll be glad to get home again too,” she said with a laugh. “You must miss your family.”

“’Course I do,” he said. “But…”

“But what?” asked his Grandma, pouring him another glass of lemonade. “Why are you hesitating so?”

Although she had a good idea what the problem was. Kevin’s family were living in a cramped little house and he had to share a bedroom with his brother. 

“I’d like my own room,” he told her longingly. For Kevin had been going to school for almost two years now and felt very grown up. “Or if the garden was bigger, I could get a tent.” 

But they both knew that the garden was very small indeed. Just room enough for a clothes line and a big sugar maple tree.

“We all need our own space,” his Grandma agreed. “But don’t give up hope yet, Kevin, I’m sure something will turn up.” 

It was as if she knew something that he didn’t. But what could it be?

“Are we moving,” he asked on impulse. “To another house?” 

She shook her head, and kept on smiling in that same secretive way.

“Then I’ll never get my own room,” he declared. “Unless…” and he brightened at the thought. “They’re going to build a room onto the top––an attic?”

But once again his Grandma shook her head and laughed. “No, I’m afraid not,” she replied, and started busying herself in the kitchen, for soon it would be time for supper. 

* * *

It felt good to be home, even though it was crowded and everyone seemed to be milling around and talking at once. 

“Happy Birthday,” his sisters yelled, and they all gathered round to watch him blow out the candles on his cake.

Kevin saw at once that his family had the same air of mystery and excitement as his Grandma. What was going on here?

He opened his presents and tucked into a slice of birthday cake, catching his mother’s eye when she came in with a fresh tray of biscuits. 

“Where’s Dad?” he asked, licking icing off his fingers, and being careful not to get any on his clothes.

“He’s adding the finishing touches to your present,” she told him. “He’s in the backyard. Why don’t you go out there and see for yourself?”

Kevin didn’t need any second invitation. He suspected that the strange way everyone was acting had something to do with this mysterious gift.

It was in the backyard, which meant that it must be big. Like maybe a basket ball hoop, or a new bicycle?

Kevin sped out the back door, aware of his family following excitedly behind. There it was! The very first thing he saw as he opened the back door, was the loveliest little house imaginable, tucked up into the branches of the sugar maple tree. 

It was a tree house. 

“Happy Birthday, Son,” said his Dad. “A little place of your very own.”

“This is the very best birthday present ever,” Kevin cried out happily, and hugged everyone. “Thank you…thank you.” 

Then he invited them all up the ladder, one at a time, to see it.
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