“Tell me,” asked Bear,
“when is your birthday?”
“Tell me, when is your birthday?” replied the moon.
“Well, it just so happens that my birthday is tomorrow!” said Bear.
“Well, it just so happens that my birthday is tomorrow!” said the moon.
“What do you want for your birthday?” asked Bear.
“What do you want for your birthday?” asked the moon.
Bear thought for a moment, then he replied:
“I would like a hat.”
“I would like a hat,” said the moon.
Oh, goody! thought Bear, now I know what to get the moon for his birthday.
“Goodbye,” said Bear.
“Goodbye,” said the moon.

– – – – – – – – – –

For a long time the moon would not speak to him, so Bear spoke first.
“Hello!” he shouted.
“Hello!” replied the moon.
“I lost the beautiful hat you gave me,” said Bear.
“I lost the beautiful hat you gave me,” said the moon.
“That’s okay, I still love you!” said Bear.
“That’s okay, I still love you!” said the moon.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” said Bear.
“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!” said the moon.

― From ‘Happy Birthday, Moon’ by Frank Asch