Sofia the First: A Royal Birthday

Shopping for the Perfect Gift

That evening, Hugo was sitting on his bed, thinking of what to give Sofia for her birthday, but she already has so many things that he can't think of what to give her. His older brother, Axel, entered their bedroom and wondered what Hugo was doing.

"Is something on your mind, baby bro?" Axel asked.

"Sofia's birthday is next week, and I haven't found a good gift for her," Hugo replied. "She's already got so many things. It won't be easy to find something to give her."

"Well, I'm sure she'll love whatever you give her," Axel assured his little brother. "Maybe you should go into town and see if you can find something to give Sofia."

"Okay," Hugo nodded. He went to town to find a birthday present for Sofia.

Hugo entered the finest shops he could find. The first shop he entered had lots of jewelry—there were necklaces, rings, earrings, and bracelets. But Sofia would never give up her magic amulet for another necklace, and as a Protector of the Ever Realm, she needs her Enchantlet on her at all times, so there was no point in giving her another bracelet. There were anklets, too, but an anklet wouldn't feel comfortable inside her riding boots.

Hugo went through many shops, but he just couldn't find the perfect gift for Sofia. It was getting dark, and Hugo went home as soon as he could.

"Did you find that special something for Sofia, champ?" King Garrick asked.

"No, there was nothing special I could find for Sofia," Hugo frowned.

"Don't worry, champ," Garrick said. "You still have one week to find that special gift."

"Okay, Dad," Hugo said, trying to smile.

That night, Sofia was in her room, dressed in her nightgown. She really wasn't looking forward to her birthday this year. She had her animal friends with her: Whatnaught the squirrel, Clover the bunny, Mia the bluebird, and Robin. They could tell that their princess wasn't very happy.

"What's wrong, Sof?" Clover asked. "Your birthday is next week."

"I know, and that's why I'm not happy," Sofia said. "Last year was a complete disaster, and it wasn't because of all those mishaps during the party. It's because I had to relive that day 38 times."

Clover remembered how overwhelmed Sofia felt that year. "Cheer up, Sof," he said. "I'm sure if you look on the bright side, your birthday will be happy—happier than last year, I bet."

Sofia thought about it—she didn't want Tizzy to cast that Birthday Do-Over spell again. "You're right, Clover," she smiled. "I know Tizzy wanted to help, but I don't want her to cast that spell again."

"There you go," Clover smiled.

The next day, Axel had Miles and Henry over. They were in his and Hugo's bedroom, and they were just minding their own business when they noticed that Hugo had been thinking.

"What's your little bro up to, Axel?" Henry asked.

"He's trying to think of a birthday present for his girlfriend," Axel replied. "He's really serious about this."

"Well, can't he just give her a tiara?" Miles asked.

"I've already given Sofia two tiaras, and she's not nearly as crazy about tiaras as her sister," Hugo declared. "Sofia has everything—it's not easy trying to find something for her."

Suddenly, Garrick came in and said, "Maybe you need to get out more. I'll take you out in other villages to find more shops. That way, you can find something for Sofia."

"Thanks, Dad," Hugo smiled.

Hugo and Garrick went to the other side of the kingdom to see the best shops.

"Well, champ, see if you can find something special for your Sofie," Garrick smiled. "There's a pillow shop."

"So I see, but I gave her a pillow last year," Hugo said. "Maybe I can find something better."

"Go ahead," Garrick smiled.

Hugo looked in as many shops as he could, but none of them had the perfect gift for Sofia. He was really overwhelmed with what he had been doing. It was already in the afternoon, and it was a long way home from where he was, so he and Garrick quickly got into their coach and went home.