Charlie was worried about inviting his two friends Ean and Dan to his brother's birthday party, because he didn't want either of them to get mad at him for inviting the other first. His mother advised that a true friend will stay friends no matter what. Charlie still couldn't decide, so his Aunt Kathy suggested inviting them both at the same time. Charlie took her advice and invited Ean and Dan together. They were both happy and said it didn't matter who was invited first as long as they could all hang out together. In the end, Charlie learned that distributing the invitations together kept both of his friends happy.

1. Charlie’s Big Decision
By: Ann Onymous

2. Charlie really likes his friends. He does
everything with them, like go to school,
play sports, and play video games.
Dan Charlie Ean

3. One day, while Charlie was reading with
his friend Ean, he started thinking
about his brother’s birthday party that
his mother was planning.
Hmm, I
wonder…

4. Then it hit him! “If I associate with Ean first,
then bring Dan to the party, Dan will get mad
at me. But If I associate with Dan first, then
bring Ean to the party, then Ean will get mad
at me.” Charlie was really in a pickle.
(Ean + Charlie) + Dan = Bad News
Ean + (Charlie + Dan) = Bad News
Associative property of addition

5. Charlie needed to come up with a plan and fast!
Charlie first asked his mother what to do about
his big decision and she said, “Charlie, If Ean
identifies himself as your true friend, then he
will continue to call you his friend the same way
he always has.”
Ean likes Charlie + Charlie’s good actions = Ean likes Charlie
Identity property of addition

6. Charlie thought and thought about what his mother said. He
commuted the different scenarios in his head, but no matter
which way he put it, he kept coming to the same conclusion…
Asking Ean first + Asking Dan second = Sad & Confused Charlie
Asking Dan first + Asking Ean second = Sad & Confused Charlie
addition
Commutative property of

7. So Charlie told his aunt Kathy about his problem. “I
don’t want my friends to be mad at me, but I
don’t know who to ask to the party first”, Charlie
exclaimed. Aunt Kathy responded, “Why can’t
you distribute your invitation to them at the
same time?” “That’s a wonderful idea!” said
Charlie.Thanks aunt Kathy!”
Charlie + (Ean + Dan) = Happy Friends
Distributive property of addition

8. The next day, when Charlie was eating lunch with his friends, he distributed
the party invitation to his friends while they were together. Ean said, “Thanks
Charlie! Hey, why don’t go to the mall after school together to get your
brother a very special present.” Charlie told his friends about his problem
and they both said, “It doesn’t matter who gets an invitation first, as long as
we all get to hang out together.”
“Let’s get your
brother a present
after school today!”

9. Charlie learned that whether he chooses to associate
with one friend first or distribute them at the same
time, he would still have two very special friends. All
three friends came to the party and had a wonderful
time!