Just before class the other day, one of the students said to me,
“Sensei, today is Puja-san’s birthday.”

As I looked over at Puja-san, I saw that they were smiling more than usual.

Then Puja-san came up to me and said,
“Sensei, today is my birthday. Here—please have some chocolate,”
and handed me a piece of chocolate.

At that moment, I was genuinely surprised. In Japan, it feels natural that the person whose birthday it is receives gifts, cake, and congratulations. I had never really thought about the birthday person giving something to others instead.

Later, I learned that Puja-san is from Nepal. In Nepal, a birthday is not so much “a day when you are the main character,” but rather a day to be grateful for having lived safely until now. It is common to receive blessings from family members and elders, and it is not unusual for the birthday person to treat others to sweets or food. A birthday is not only a day to receive, but also a day to share.

Having grown up in Japan, I have always thought of birthdays as days when people say “Happy Birthday” to you and give you a little special attention. As I have gotten older, I tend to spend my birthdays more quietly, but even so, the idea of being celebrated has stayed with me.

Then there was Puja-san’s chocolate. With my own birthday approaching, it made me stop and think: what is a birthday really for? Being celebrated is certainly nice, but spending the day expressing gratitude to the people around you also feels like a very meaningful way to mark the occasion.

The image of Puja-san smiling shyly as they handed me the chocolate has become an unforgettable birthday moment for me. This year, I think I will spend my birthday being a little more aware of the people around me.

The chocolate I received that day was very sweet, and it gave me a gentle, early taste of my own birthday.