La Sorpresa
(The Surprise)
Carmen y sus tres hermanos llevaban semanas planeando una fiesta sorpresa para su madre.
Carmen and her three siblings had been planning a surprise party for their mother for weeks.
Cumplía sesenta años el sábado.
She was turning sixty on Saturday.
Todo tenía que ser perfecto.
Everything had to be perfect.
Carmen hizo una lista de tareas y repartió el trabajo.
Carmen made a list of tasks and divided up the work.
El sábado por la mañana, decoraron la casa con globos de colores y guirnaldas.
On Saturday morning, they decorated the house with colourful balloons and garlands.
Prepararon una tarta grande de chocolate con fresas.
They made a big chocolate cake with strawberries.
Los nietos hicieron un cartel enorme que decía: ¡Feliz cumpleaños, abuela!
The grandchildren made an enormous sign that said: Happy birthday, Grandma!
La fiesta era a las cinco de la tarde.
The party was at five in the afternoon.
Pero a las tres, oyeron una llave en la puerta.
But at three, they heard a key in the door.
Su madre entró con bolsas del supermercado y una sonrisa.
Their mother came in with supermarket bags and a smile.
He salido antes del trabajo porque hacía buen tiempo, dijo.
I left work early because the weather was nice, she said.
Miró los globos y la tarta.
She looked at the balloons and the cake.
Miró a sus hijos, que estaban escondidos detrás del sofá.
She looked at her children, who were hiding behind the sofa.
Un pie asomaba por un lado.
A foot was sticking out on one side.
Os veo, dijo riendo.
I can see you, she said laughing.
Los nietos salieron corriendo a abrazarla y le cantaron la canción de cumpleaños.
The grandchildren came running out to hug her and they sang the birthday song to her.
La sorpresa no ha salido como queríamos, dijo Carmen.
The surprise did not go as we wanted, Carmen said.
Su madre la abrazó fuerte.
Her mother hugged her tightly.
Claro que sí.
Of course it did.
La mejor sorpresa es ver que mi familia me quiere tanto.
The best surprise is seeing that my family loves me so much.
Key Vocabulary
la sorpresa the surprise
el cumpleaños the birthday
la tarta the cake
los globos the balloons
esconderse to hide (oneself)
abrazar to hug
el nieto / la nieta the grandson / granddaughter
la guirnalda the garland