At sunrise, Saffik sprang out of the burrow and gasped. The birthday decorations were all droopy and crooked.
One paper star whirled off toward the dunes. Saffik dashed after it. The party had to be perfect before anyone came.
Back at the burrow, Saffik patted the tablecloth smooth. Dates went into neat rows. Tarts were stacked one by one.
Saffik smiled at the tidy table. Then a warm gust whooshed in. FWUMP! The cloth flipped right over Saffik's head.
Saffik yanked the cloth off and fixed everything again. This time, even faster.
Next, Saffik hung lanterns at the burrow door, swept swirly tracks in the sand, and set out shiny shells for games.
Then Saffik froze. A tumbleweed bounced through the party, scooped up three hats, and rolled away wearing one like a silly crown.
Saffik chased it over the dune and grabbed the hats back. Then Saffik heard happy voices coming closer.
Saffik raced home with the hats. But at the burrow entrance, friends were already there with dusty paws, handmade cards, and crooked little gifts tied with string.
Saffik looked at the tilted lanterns, the sandy tarts, and the lopsided table. “Oh no,” said Saffik. “It’s not perfect.”
A friend set a shell crown on Saffik's head. Everyone cheered so loudly that the lanterns jiggled.
Soon the cards were spread across the table. Saffik passed around the sandy tarts and joined the games.
Everyone wore the rescued hats sideways. Saffik laughed as the cups clinked and the decorations bobbed in the breeze.
When the sun slid down the dunes, Saffik kept the shell crown on and scooted closer to all the friends.
