The Meaning of Birthday

The Question

The four princes of Glanzreich Family are currently together for their combined lesson from their beloved Heine-sensei and are all busy trying to guess the correct answer for a question:
"Does Father know Sensei's birthday?"

Prince Leonhard who was the one who dropped the question is currently waiting for any feedback from his flabbergasted brothers. Prince Licht who is the most talkative was rendered speechless with the question, he wants to know the answer too but waited for his older brother and the genius of them to provide feedback.

The Brainiac, Prince Bruno is not sure as to what the answer as well. His Master is as mystery to him as to the rest of his brothers but he still thought of a proper response to his brother "I think we should not ask whether Father knew of Sensei's Birthday, the correct question is When is Master's Birthday."

The line post a bigger question then, if the question is when is Heine's Birthday then it will be a lot harder to decide since they will have no one to ask on this matter. Prince Leonhard's question poses the idea that their father would know but Prince Bruno's question left a bigger impact since the idea is no one would probably know of their Sensei's birthday.

"I think we should try to ask Father, he would probably tell us since it is no secret now that Sensei and him are friends." Prince Kai, the oldest and the kindest prince.
The opening of the door made them turned on it and saw that walking towards them is their Royal Tutor Heine Wittgenstein. The prince all look at each other for a simple confirmation that they will continue the rest of the discussion later.

"Good Morning your Highnesses, it's a bit early for all of you to be here, isn't it?" Heine commented upon seeing the Princes on their common room.

"ahhh well Master we are a bit of excited since you mention that we are going to have a group assignment." Prince Bruno manages to save them with his excuse.

"Ohh well it's alright then, we can start early." Heine said and stand in front of the Princes
"Today's lesson then will be a question for Family, I would like you candidates for the throne to answer as though you are King. " This sentence shocked them, what is that possible question? They are not to wait longer though:

"The question, as kings what is the most important Family gathering/occasion that you wouldn't wish to missed?" Heine asked.

Prince Bruno as expected answered first, "The birth of my future Heir." He said with proud conviction.

Prince Kai responded next with, "The meeting of my future grandchildren." He said while thinking how cute and soft his future grandchildren.

Prince Licht answered with "The coronation of my future child.. given I'll be a king" he answered happily.

Prince Leonhard answered with the best answer he could think of "The celebration of birthdays for my future child/children. I think it's important to celebrate such important time with my family." The response garnered looks from his brothers but they remained silent.

"Excellent answers, all of them will be an important part of your life in the future but what I would like you all to remember from this question is never forget on being a Father to your Family when you become King, you need to find time to celebrate Family gathering/occasion occasionally if not all. As for example your Father always have time for his Kingdom and you his children."

A moment of silence past for the Princes to absorb the lesson after that Heine continued his lesson about importance of Family for a Royal and finished his lesson with a reminder to do their individual assignments and find him if they have any questions.

Heine is in the way to get out of the room when a single hand was raise, "Yes Prince Leonhard?" said Prince is rethinking his decision to ask the question but his just too intrigued too not ask.
"ahhhmm, Heine I would like to ask as to when is your Birthday?", he asked straight forward. The brothers held their breath in anticipation of his answer.

"I don't have one, for what I can remember." Their sensei's answer with that nonchalant expression of him.

The answer rendered the Princes speechless, a grown man.. almost as old as their father don't know his birthday.

After the shock wear off, Prince Bruno then voiced his question. "How did you know then your age if you don't' know your birthday?"

"I grew up with people on the streets saying that I look 5, after that I just make sure to count the years to not forget how old I am."

Prince Leonhard then stand in indignation, "is that mean you don't know your exact age too?"
Heine then look at the Prince Leonhard eyes and said calmly, "that's the price of growing up in the streets. I don't know certain things but I made sure to know things that I could learn, my exact age and my birthday doesn't mean anything to me, I want to celebrate the knowledge I gain through the years than celebrate me growing older."

He look then to all the prince one by one while saying "I want you to live your life year by year looking forward to what your future hold than just counting the years and letting it past you. Look straight to the future, let the past be your guide but always look forward to the future."
After saying that he bowed and went out of the door, leaving the Princes shocked yet inspired in a mix way of emotional turmoil.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Princes understand their teacher's reasoning and the reason that he didn't want to discuss the subject but they are still hurt in a way, not as to how their teacher responded but about the idea that their teacher grew up without celebrating one day for himself.

Since they are still not convinced with leaving it just that they seek the opinion of their Father.
"Heine isn't really someone who would share private story of his life, I do know that he is orphaned because I met him while he was living on a sewage but other than that I am afraid I cannot give further details because I don't l know too" The King responded.

"You never asked him?" Prince Bruno inquired.

"I did but his answer to you is his answer to me, he just doesn't know honestly." The King said,
The Princes are saddened with this, they do want to give their teacher a formal birthday, at the very least they want to show their teacher that staying with the Royal Family is not so bad.
"Well why not coax him into having one? Maybe with the four of you choosing a birthday date and celebrating it with him will make him see why it's so important. You have to think of a date that is important for all of you and Heine then make it his Birthday, since the year is turning and his first arrival is coming then you could start from their and think of the appropriate date." King Victor commented, silently thinking that it will be good for his friend.

The Princes smiled and got excited from the idea and expressed their gratitude and bid their Father goodbye.

It seems the unofficial assignment of the Four Princes of Glanzreich Family is on the roll now, The subject their Sensei Heine.