by Marcia Faber
“I lost my birthday. I looked all over the calendar and it just isn’t there. The calendar must have made a mistake,” Maya said sadly to her Mom.
Her bright blue eyes were brimming with tears. Maya was 6 years old and in first grade.
“It was on the calendar last year,” she said.
“I know it isn’t there this year. You see, Maya, your birthday is February 29th and that means it is only on the calendar every four years. It is called a Leap Year,” said her Mom.
Maya was very confused. “So I only have a birthday every four years?” she asked.
“Well, that is what the calendar says but we always celebrate your birthday every year,” her Mom answered.
“But how can I have a birthday if the day isn’t even there?” she cried.
Maya’s Dad just came home from work and she ran into his arms crying.
“I don’t have a birthday this year. It isn’t on the calendar,” she wept.
“Yes, you do,” he answered.
“I don’t see how,” she said.
“People who are born on that date celebrate it on February 28th or March 1st.”
“Why did I have to pick that day to be born?” she whined.
“You are not the only person who was born on that day. There are many
other people born on that day, too. A Leap Year happens every four years to help coordinate the calendar year with the solar year. A solar year is the length of time it takes the earth to complete its orbit around the sun…” she interrupted her Dad.
“You are really smart, Daddy,”
“The day you were born I looked up all this information. I knew someday you would have a lot of questions,” he answered.
Maya felt a little better knowing she wasn’t the only person who wouldn’t find her birthday on the calendar this year.
She started to go up to her room.
“Where are you going,” asked her Mom.
“I am going to tell all my friends about my new Birthday!” she said happily.