The barking of a dog disturbed Ahmer’s attempt to sleep, once more. “I am scared, Mommy,” she told her mother, as she tugged closer to her. “It is nothing, Honey. Do not be afraid,” said the mother. It was a peculiar routine for Ahmer and her mother. The dog barking and Ahmer feeling scared. It…
A young seagull had just left her nest on the mountain by the sea. Before she took her first independent flight, her mother gave her a suggestion. “Never look for fish away from this mountain,” she said. But the young one had other ideas. “There is a world out there to explore. I will not…
There lived a three-legged wolf in a jungle. He was a member of a pack in which all other wolves were healthy and strong. The pack knew how to hunt, as all its members performed their duty well, except the three-legged one, who had become a burden. The three-legged wolf could not go hunting. The…
Shreya had always wanted to be independent. So, as soon as she became eligible, she asked her father to get her a scooter and teach her how to ride. Her father, Mohan, loved his daughter. He didn’t need to think twice before granting Shreya her wish. “Now, we must get to practice every day before…
Mrs. Rihana had a sudden guest in the middle of a weekday. She was readying for her post-lunch routine—tending to the flowerbeds in her backyard—when her uncle, Mr. Gafaar, showed up. She hadn’t seen her uncle for a long time. His visit came to her as a pleasant surprise. She greeted Mr. Gafaar warmly. Mr.…
Karim was scared. He didn’t want to leave his father’s side, with so many strange faces around at the train station. The March sky was overcast; the weather windy. Karim was kept warm by his red and green chequered hoodie. His father wanted him to play, but Karim just would not step away. Priya walked…
The winter had given way to spring in the valley. The sun was out. There air was fresh and cold. Sam and Hamid took their bat and ball to play cricket in the field close to their home by the lake. That is how they wanted to spend their Sunday. In a nursery nearby, people…
Riza was a grocer in a small town in Persia. He worked very hard, but earned only enough to feed his family. Riza wasn’t happy. He wanted to earn more. He wanted to be wealthy. There also lived a rich landlord in Persia. Kind, the landlord wished to share his wealth with someone who needed…
A herd of sheep lived in a forest. There were all kinds of sheep in the herd: fat and lean; young and old; white and grey. And there were sheep with horns as well. There also lived a pack of wolves adjacent to where the sheep lived. The sheep were easy prey for the wolves,…
A princess had been sitting in the window of their palace since morning, refusing to eat anything. When nothing worked, the king was told about the princess. “O my sweetheart, what makes you so sad? Is there anything I can do for you, my lovely princess? Your sadness is spreading its wings to my heart,”…
