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Today was a special day in the Fire Nation, for it was the Summer Solstice—the most sacred day of the year! For three days, the Fire Nation would party like no tomorrow. People relished eating tons of fire flakes, dazzling fireworks, and enjoying good times with friends and family. Whether you lived in the city or a small village, everyone went out of their way to celebrate this holy day. In the town of Donsuta, it was no different. Seven-year-old Hiro was eagerly looking forward to the festivities.
He loved this time of year! From the delicious food to the breathtaking fireworks, everything filled him with excitement. One of his favorite highlights was watching the Dance of the Fire. Specially trained firebending women performed unbelievable dances while firebending, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. Hiro and his best friend Tao were busy setting up his backyard with colorful paper lanterns. Being from the Earth Kingdom, Tao didn’t possess a spiritual connection to the holiday, but he enjoyed celebrating alongside his best buddy.
"I can tell this year is going to be outstanding! My mom told me the Fire Dancers would perform the Phoenix Dance this year! That’s one of the most challenging dances to pull off!" Hiro exclaimed, his eyes shining with enthusiasm.
"I’m amazed every year that they don’t roast themselves! I can only imagine how many years of practice it takes to dance with fire," Tao replied, his brow furrowing in concern.
"It does, Tao! My mom refers to the dancers as living poetry—the way they move with such grace and beauty! I know my little sister loves them as well! Oh, and I heard this year there will be kite flying, too!"
"Are you going to participate in the kite flying?" his friend asked, tilting his head.
"I haven’t had time to make a kite, so no. But I’ll enjoy watching them fly during twilight, nonetheless! I’m also looking forward to all the spice cakes they’ll serve!" Hiro said, rubbing his hands together in anticipation.
"I'll never understand how you guys tolerate such hot food! It's way too spicy for me!" Tao chuckled, shaking his head.
"We're the Children of Agni! Why wouldn’t we be able to handle hot food?" Hiro replied, laughing at his friend's expression. Their laughter filled the air as they finished decorating the backyard before racing back inside.
Hiro’s gorgeous mother was merrily baking spice cakes for the celebration, the delightful aroma wafting through the house. His younger sister, Hanako, was occupied making origami animals, her small hands deftly folding paper into shapes. Hiro suspected his father was still at work.
"Mom! We finished decorating the backyard!" Hiro proclaimed happily.
His mother turned and smiled at him. "I’m happy to hear that, son. Why don’t you two help your sister finish making the paper animals? They’ll add a nice touch to the decorations."
"Okay, Mom!" the boys replied in unison as they joined Hanako at the table. They spent the next little while crafting origami animals, producing nearly two dozen colorful creations. Once they were done, the three kids split up to decorate the house and yard with their handmade animals.
As the sun began to set, it was time for dinner. By then, Hiro’s father had returned home with the rest of the traditional meal, bringing a sense of warmth and excitement. The family, along with Tao, enjoyed a lively meal filled with laughter and stories about past celebrations. Afterward, they all headed out to enjoy the rest of the festivities with their community. All in all, it had been a perfect holiday, filled with joy, laughter, and the spirit of togetherness.