My Brother the Pancake Flipper
1Last Sunday, my little brother Kwame and I decided to make breakfast for Mom's birthday. Dad stayed by the stove to keep us safe, but the cooking was up to us. I was in charge of the batter, and Kwame was supposed to set the table. That was the plan, anyway.
2I had just poured the first pancake into the pan when Kwame grabbed the spatula. "Watch this, Nia!" he shouted. Before I could stop him, he flipped the pancake high into the air. It sailed right over the pan and landed on the floor with a splat.
3I groaned. I was sure he was just showing off, the way he always does. "Kwame, you're going to ruin everything," I said. He looked down at his shoes and didn't say a word.
4Then I remembered something. Mom loves silly pancakes. So I handed the spatula back to Kwame and showed him how to make a pancake shaped like a smiley face. When Mom came downstairs, she laughed and said it was the best birthday breakfast ever.
Breakfast Surprise
1On Sunday morning, Nia and her younger brother, Kwame, tiptoed into the kitchen to make a birthday breakfast for their mom. Dad stayed by the stove to keep them safe. Nia mixed the batter carefully. Kwame watched her, wishing he could help with the cooking instead of setting the table.
2Kwame had been practicing pancake flips all week, using a paper plate in an empty pan. He wanted to surprise his big sister with his new trick. When Nia poured the first pancake, he picked up the spatula and flipped it with all his might. The pancake flew past the pan and flopped onto the floor.
3Nia groaned and told him he was going to ruin everything. Kwame stared at the floor. He had only wanted to show his sister he could help, and now he felt like the smallest kid in the world.
4When Nia saw her brother's sad face, her frown softened. She remembered that Mom loved silly pancakes, so she handed Kwame the spatula and helped him make one shaped like a smiley face. As they worked together, Nia felt proud of her brother. Mom laughed when she saw the plate.