Little Isa had been very ill — in a large city hospital for what felt like forever. But at last the day came when the doctors said she was truly getting better, and her parents breathed again.
“I have an idea,” said her father, the evening before Valentine’s Day. “I believe my little girl may be about to receive all kinds of bright, heart-shaped presents.”
Isa’s eyes lit up. Then she thought for a moment.
“Daddy,” she said, “instead of just me having a party — could we have one for all the children in the hospital? I’m well enough to be moved to the big ward. All the children who can come could be there together, and we could have a proper valentine party.”
Her father said yes.
By evening the ward was transformed. Red paper hearts hung from the ceiling and were strung over the beds. The lights were covered with red paper shades that turned the whole room rosy. And in the very center stood an enormous heart — tall as a man — and from it hung a red ribbon for every child.
Each child pulled a ribbon.
At the end of every ribbon was a present.
