Apam Cake (3+ syllables)

Tonight is the Apam Cake Festival to welcome in the holy month. Abdul is really looking forward to eating the sweet treat his mother will bake.

But when Abdul gets home from playing with his friends, he sees a disturbing sight. His mother has hurt her hand. 'I'm sorry. I just can't manage to make the cakes this year,' she says.

'Don't worry Mum. I will make it for us,' Abdul says, 'I've watched you make it plenty of times.'

His mum isn't so sure. But Abdul gathers all the ingredients and heads to the field where all their friends have already started.

His dad builds the little stove they need. It is just made from rocks and dried coconut leaves. Then the iron pot sits on top.

'This will be easy,' Abdul boasts. Then he tips the flour into the coconut milk which splashes all over his face.

Abdul goes to work mixing the batter for the cake. He is very enthusiastic. His mother tries to tell him to be gentle with the spoon.

Pretty soon, the batter is very thick and won't drip off the spoon. 'That means the mixture is ready to go in the oven,' his mother tells him.

'We put it in the oven and cover it with a lid to make sure the cake cooks evenly,' his mother tells him. Abdul looks on with impatience.

While he is waiting for the cake to cook, Abdul takes a walk around the field to look at all the other cooks. He is the youngest one there. He is very proud of himself.

When he gets back, a terrible smell meets his nostrils. 'Oh no!' he did not check the cake and now it is burnt.

Some of them might be a bit crisp. But Abdul managed to make cakes, so his family could be part of the festival.