I love wild weather Heather yelled as the wind swirled the paper tablecloth above her head The wilder the better Twister a tornado waterspout or dust devil in which the fast circular movement of air can be seen Heather Whirl's birthday parties always included a weather theme And this birthday her eighth was a special one Heather's very old great-grandmother Nanny Pippa was visiting from England and coming to her party for the first time ever Nanny Pippa squished into the backyard as the rain became a light mist She used a fancy cane to help her walk and carried a long narrow package wrapped in shiny bright paper 9 Cheerio called Nanny Pippa She wants cereal whispered Heather's best friend Edward who had come early to help set up Heather laughed No she said That's how she says hello Oh Edward cleaned a speck on his glasses and squinted at Heather's great-grandmother
She's old he whispered She's literally one hundred years old Heather whispered back What a wild wacky wonderful whipping wind we had for a bit said Nanny Pippa Too bad the rain is stopping And here comes the sun That's disappointing Nanny Pippa found a chair and plopped down 10
Happy birthday Heather Whirl weather girl she said She motioned Heather over and whispered in her ear Before your other guests arrive we have something special in store It's time for the magic to begin Heather smiled politely With Nanny Pippa it was always best to pretend to understand Nanny Pippa held out the wrapped package Hurry unwrap it she said I don't have all the time in the world you know Heather tore off the paper and opened the box It was an umbrella Heather loved umbrellas and this one was especially beautiful with a shimmery green gemstone glowing on the handle It's an antique said Nanny Pippa Given to me by my great-grandmother and now given to you by me That's a special gift said Heather's mother An heirloom added Heather's father 11
