I remember distinctly a birthday present I received two years ago. It was my tenth birthday. Mother and Father were busy preparing for my tenth birthday party. They wanted it to be special for me although I would have preferred a simpler birthday. I helped to put up my own balloons and streamers in the house to give it a party mood. My relatives and friends came on time. It was a wonderful day.
I always receive tons of gifts on my birthday, but that year, one gift surprised me the most. My aunt, who had just got back from Australia, arrived with a brown cardboard box in her hands. She was carrying it with utmost care and there was a yellow ribbon placed on top of the box. However, what caught my attention was not the brightly coloured ribbon but the numerous tiny holes around the box. My aunt told me to open it immediately because it was small and it needed care. I thought it was strange to open a present before cutting the birthday cake but she sounded so serious that I had to open the box.
Before I peered inside the box, a tiny nose popped out from under the lid. I gently lifted the lid and found the cutest little thing alive. It was a guinea pig from Australia. Its hair was white and long and it made a high-pitched squeal whenever it became scared. I decided to name it Phi Phi because of its squeal. Everyone at the party thought it was adorable. Even my elder sister, who disliked animals, took to it. It was a special gift that I treasure till today.