Hello,
My name's Emma and I'll be reading you a relaxation story called The Magic Cake where the sweetest magic starts with a slice of kindness.
So let's get started and meet Polly.
Today was Polly's birthday.
She woke up with sparkles in her tummy and a smile on her face.
But when she came downstairs,
No one said a word.
Not her dad,
Not her sleepy cat Pickle,
Not even her mum who just yawned and poured a cup of tea.
Had everyone forgotten?
The sparkles inside Polly faded.
They turned into a heavy grey cloud that sat in her chest like a rain puddle.
She wanted to shake it off,
So she pulled on her wellies,
Zipped up her raincoat and stepped outside into the soft,
Drizzly morning.
The sky seemed to match her mood.
Grey,
Quiet and a little bit sad.
Raindrops pattered gently on her hood and she noticed how the pavement felt hard beneath her feet and how the puddles rippled as she walked.
As she passed the little village shop,
Polly noticed an old lady standing outside,
Her arms full of shopping bags that wobbled and tilted.
Oh dear,
The lady puffed,
My arms aren't what they used to be.
Without thinking,
Polly rushed over.
I can help you,
She smiled,
Grabbing a bag that looked ready to topple.
Oh my,
Said the lady surprised.
A kind heart on a rainy day,
How wonderful.
They walked together down the lane,
The sound of their boots squelch-squelching on the path and something began to shift.
The rain softened to a mist and a warm breeze brushed Polly's cheek.
Even the clouds seemed to stretch and brighten as if kindness had opened a tiny window to the sun.
The lady's name was Olive and she wore a hat that looked exactly like a blueberry muffin with a little pom-pom cherry on top.
When they reached her gate,
Olive turned and gave Polly a twinkly look.
I've been waiting to meet someone just like you,
She whispered.
From her largest shopping bag,
She pulled out a plain white box.
Olive gently lifted the lid.
Inside was a plain white cake with a single unlit candle standing tall.
This is the magical birthday cake,
Olive said softly,
But it only works for kind hearts like yours.
Now we make a special wish,
She said.
Say this with me.
I am kind.
I am unique.
I shine in my own way.
I find the magic of kindness even when clouds are grey.
As they spoke,
A tiny spark flickered at the tip of the candle and then,
Crackle!
A golden flame danced on top.
Olive smiled.
Now,
Close your eyes and imagine any birthday cake you like.
Polly felt herself relax as she started to imagine.
Now,
Take a deep breath,
Slowly breathe in,
Smell the cake,
Said Olive.
Now,
Breathe out gently,
Blowing out the candle flame.
Poof!
The cake shimmered and changed.
Now,
It was a rainbow cake with bright,
Spongy layers topped with colourful sprinkles in all shapes.
Stars,
Rainbows,
And flower shapes.
Polly sniffed.
It smelled like cinnamon and marshmallows.
Polly was amazed.
Let's try that again,
Said Olive.
You can imagine anything,
Olive's eyes twinkled and the candle flame relit with a crackle.
Take a deep,
Slow breath in,
Smell the cake,
Now breathe out gently,
Blowing out the candle.
Poof!
Now,
It was a spaghetti cake with twirly noodles,
Golden cheese dust,
And cherry tomato stars.
Olive and Polly giggled and the grey cloud inside Polly floated away.
One more breath,
And one last cake,
Olive said gently,
And the candle relit.
Now,
Everyone,
Let's try this last breath all together and make sure Polly gets the cake she's imagining.
So,
Let's take a deep,
Slow breath in,
Smell the cake,
Now breathe out gently,
Blowing out the candle.
Well done.
And poof!
The cake changed.
The last cake became a cloud cake,
Fluffy and light with cotton candy icing and tiny sugar balls in beautiful colours and sparkly glitter sprinkled on top.
And it smelt like strawberries and jelly beans,
Polly's favourites.
Polly felt warm from her toes to her cheeks.
Her birthday sparkles had returned.
She felt calm and bright like the glitter on her cake.
Olive smiled.
She removed the candle carefully closed the lid of the box and handed it over to Polly.
Now,
Take this special cake back home now,
She said,
And don't forget the magic wish we made.
When Polly opened her front door,
The lights were on,
The table was covered in treats and presents and her family all jumped out.
Surprise!
Happy birthday,
Polly!
That night,
After sharing her special delicious cloud cake with her family,
Polly happily curled up in bed with Pickle the cat purring closely.
She whispered into the soft dark,
I think the real magic was being kind and Pickle purred in agreement.
Polly fell asleep,
Dreaming of all the different cakes that she could imagine.
The end.
Now it's your turn to imagine.
Imagine whatever cake you like and remember to take a birthday cake breath.
Goodbye!
