Who decides the day of their own birth? How important is it for happiness in life under which zodiac sign one is born? Why can a polar bear in human form be the most beautiful gift of all? How does one ensure the perfect scandal at the birthday party of an unfaithful husband? What is the most honest granddaughter's wish of all time for the birthday of the elderly great-grandfather? How does a retired tax officer discover the birthday calendar as the meaning of life? And what happens when one spends their birthday fleeing on a train? Rafik Schami, Monika Helfer, Franz Hohler, Root Leeb, Michael Köhlmeier, and Natasa Dragnic know the answers and share them: with creative energy and poetic language, sometimes thoughtful, sometimes humorous - in short stories that create strong images, celebrate birthdays, and enrich the gift table of literature.