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The Missing Dessert Plate

Ages 6-9 | Story and 9 activities

On Friday night, the dessert plate is missing from the table.

Mommy has made a big, fluffy chocolate cake with sprinkles. She put it on the counter before Shabbos and covered it with a glass dome. But when it is time for dessert, the dome is empty.

"Where's the cake?" asks Totty.

Everyone looks around. Mommy frowns. "It was right here."

Nechama, the oldest, looks at her brother. "Zevi, did you take it?"

"No!"

"You love chocolate."

"I didn't take it!" Zevi's voice rises, and his cheeks go red. "Why does everyone think it was me?"

"Because last week you ate half the brownies before Shabbos," says Nechama.

"That was last week! I said sorry!"

Mommy puts up her hand. "Let's stop for a minute. No one should be blamed without checking first. Let's all look around."

The family spreads out. Nechama checks the living room. Zevi checks under the table. Totty looks in the pantry. Mommy walks through the kitchen slowly.

It is the youngest, little Tzippy, who finds it.

"Mommy," she calls from the hallway. "Cake!"

Everyone hurries over. There on the low shelf, next to Tzippy's stuffed bunny, is the cake, safe and sound.

"How did it get here?" asks Mommy.

Tzippy beams. "I put it. For the bunny's birthday party."

Everyone bursts out laughing. The cake has a small bite taken out of the corner, and a little pink bunny napkin is tucked beside it.

"Oh, Tzippy," says Mommy, wiping her eyes. "You carried it all by yourself?"

"On the tray. Very slowly."

"Wow. You didn't drop it once."

Nechama looks at Zevi. Her face goes pink. "Zevi, I'm sorry. I thought it was you."

Zevi crosses his arms. "You didn't even check. You just guessed."

"You're right. I should have asked questions first, not accused you."

"It felt really bad," says Zevi quietly.

"I know. I'm sorry."

He looks at her for a moment, and then he nods. "Okay."

Mommy says, "Everyone makes assumptions sometimes. But it's wise to wait and look for the facts. And when we get it wrong, we say we're sorry."

At the table, they cut the cake, including a slice for the bunny. It is moist and rich, and the sprinkles crunch. Zevi gives Nechama the biggest piece.

"For me?" she asks.

"For saying sorry," says Zevi. "Next time, though, ask me first."

"I will," says Nechama. "And Tzippy, next time, please tell us before the bunny has a party."

After benching, Totty says, "Here's a good habit. When you don't know what happened, imagine the nicest explanation until you find out the truth." Nechama nods slowly. "Like a bunny's birthday," she says. "Exactly like that," says Totty.

Later, Mommy tucks a note in Tzippy's lunchbox. It says, Please ask before moving the cake. Love, Mommy. Tzippy draws a bunny on the back.

Tzippy's bunny, it turns out, loves sprinkles most of all. She keeps one on his paw until Sunday.

Tzippy giggles. "He said it was the best party ever."