The birthday is a special day for most people. We may spend much time celebrating it. On the birthday, we may go for a trip, have a party or watch a movie with our parents or friends. We can also enjoy some special food. Do you know what people eat on their birthdays around the world? Here are three people from different countries. They tell us what food they eat on their birthdays.

Liu Jing is from Beijing. “The long noodles are a symbol of long life. In China, red is a symbol of luck. We think red eggs bring us good luck. So you can see Chinese eat long noodles and red eggs when they celebrate their birthdays,” says Liu Jing.

“I am so happy because today is my birthday. I want to have a birthday party. At the party, we can play games, sing and dance. We can also eat a big birthday cake with fifteen candles. I’m sure we can have a good time at my birthday party,” says David from America.

“In Canada, people put a coin (硬币) into the cake. If the birthday person eats the cake with the coin, he or she will be lucky. I am so happy because I often eat the cake with a coin,” says Sandy.

Jane and her family loved buffets (自助餐). When they were on holiday, they had a buffet dinner at the hotel where they were staying.

Jane put a lot of beef and a few vegetables on her plate. She also took a lot of fried rice and fries.

Her mother looked at Jane’s plate and said, “You shouldn’t eat too much meat or fried food. You’ve put so much food on your plate. Are you sure you can finish it all?”

“Of course!” said Jane.

Next Jane and her father went to get some dessert. Jane put a lot of jelly and cake on her plate.

“You should only take a little jelly and cake, Jane. Look at your plate! Are you sure you can eat it all?” asked her father.

“Of course!” said Jane.

Jane was soon full.

“Look at all the food you’ve left on your plate, Jane,” said her father. “Can’t you eat it all up?”

“Sorry, Dad. I can’t,” said Jane.

Jane’s father asked for the bill. The waiter looked at the food.

“Do you want this food, sir?” he asked.

Jane’s father said, “No, I’m sorry. We can’t finish it. We’re full.” The waiter weighed (称重量) the food. Then he gave Jane’s father the bill.

Jane’s father looked at the bill and said, “You’ve wasted a lot of food, Jane. Now we have to pay for it. No pocket money for you this month!”

It’s six thirty in the     29    . It’s time for us to have dinner. There is lots of     30     on the table. My father likes all     31     of vegetables and rice. My mother likes fish and noodles. My sister Ann’s     32     are chicken and bread. I like beef, mutton and     33    . After dinner my sister and I     34     some fruit. And my parents usually drink     35    . They like orange juice very much. Then my mother likes taking a     36     with our dog, and my father likes reading     37    . Sometimes he watches TV. My sister and I usually do     38     homework.