“The more candles on my cake means I get a little more exercise in blowing them out.”

“You know you're getting old when the candles cost more than the cake.”

“The cake had a trick candle that wouldn't go out, so I didn't get my wish. Which was just that it would always be like this, that my life could be a party just for me.”

“Blow the candle out, I don't need to see what my thoughts look like.”

“Because I am special.For the moment that was all she had to say. There would be more, much more, but the four words were like four candles, or the arms of the Crusaders' cross she wore on her sleeve. Because I am special.She shut the book and began to blow out the candle, before changing her mind. She sat back in her chair, and watched it glow.”

“Adults have big, big wishes that we do not expect to come true. That is why we need so many more candles on our cakes.”