The Programmed Stick and Lazy Filfil

Laziness is a blameworthy trait. Our true religion has warned us against it and asked us to be active Muslims, for activity is part of hard work. We are required to work hard, continuously, and at a high level so that our Arab nations can rise, advance, and compete with other nations in progress, science, and elevation. But did Filfil realize all these matters? On the morning of one of the bright days, the teacher Sumaya went to her school to meet her dear children, the male and female students, and give them their lessons as they were all accustomed. The students were waiting for her lessons with great enthusiasm, for she was accustomed to telling them a story containing many, many lessons and morals. As soon as she entered the classroom, the students cheered and smiled at her. ...

Juha and the Moon

Juha had a land that he plowed and planted. He rejoiced whenever he saw the grain of wheat he had sown and buried in the soil come out as a small ear that grew and grew and grew, became filled with large grains, turned yellow, and swayed with its sisters while the wind played with them. Juha in Summer: In the summer, he would harvest the ears with the sickle and heap them, then wrap each heap with a rope and carry it to the threshing floor for threshing. He would harvest and sing and entertain the harvesters. At night, he would stay up with his companions at the threshing floors, telling stories. ...

The Honest Smuggler

Nasreddin was leading a donkey and carrying on its back a bundle of wooden sticks, trying to cross the border, when Inspector Rakan stopped him for inspection and asked him: What is your name, man, and what is the nature of your work? Nasreddin answered: I am an honest smuggler and my name is Nasreddin. Inspector Rakan was surprised by Nasreddin’s strange response! He said to him: What are you saying, man? Do you admit you are a smuggler? Nasreddin said: Yes, I am. Inspector Rakan searched him well but didn’t find anything with him. ...

The Confused King

In one of the ancient kingdoms, there lived an unhappy king with much fat and flesh. He suffered greatly from his increased weight. He gathered the wise men to seek a solution to his problem, for he couldn’t walk or move much. Pain and ailments accompanied him, and the king lived in misery and torment because of his ailing body. Unfortunately, none of the wise men could do anything for the king, so he was overcome with grief and worry, living in unhappiness that spread throughout the entire kingdom. Until a wise physician came to the kingdom. When the king learned of him, he summoned him and asked him to cure him of his condition, in exchange for bestowing upon him money and gifts. ...

The Perplexed King

In one of the ancient kingdoms lived a miserable king who was very fat and fleshy. He suffered greatly from his increased weight, so he gathered the wise men to look for a solution to his problem. He couldn’t walk and move much, and pains and ailments gathered upon him. The king lived in misery and torment because of his sick body. But unfortunately, none of the wise men could do anything for the king, so he was afflicted with grief and worry and lived in misery that spread throughout the entire kingdom, until a wise physician came to the kingdom. When the king learned of his matter, he summoned him and asked him to treat him from his condition, in exchange for pouring out money and gifts upon him. ...

The Last of the Dinosaurs

Once upon a time, there was the last group of dinosaurs that lived on the crater of one of the mountains located far from the provincial forests. They lived for thousands of years away from earthly changes, living in peace and safety without needing anyone. One day, their leader decided to return to the earth to impose control over it. Their leader said: Enough of us living like this isolated from the other world. We must descend to the earth. The dinosaurs destroyed their home that they had made on top of the mountain, then headed toward the earth. ...

Sheep Don't Eat Cats

I am the cat with the long tail. The story began when a sheep and his family came to live in the house at the end of the street. I couldn’t imagine that sheep could scare my father, brother, and mother to this degree. I don’t know what a sheep is. I only know that when he speaks, he says baa. Suddenly, my father closed the door of the house and forbade us from going out because the sheep might harm us. My father was talking with my mother and brother about the sheep issue for long periods, and I was sitting alone feeling bored. It became forbidden for me to speak, and it also became forbidden for me to play with the wool ball that I love. As for the toy my mother made for me in the shape of a mouse, my father wouldn’t let me play with it, so that I wouldn’t make a sound that would make the sheep notice my existence. ...

Grandma, Come to Our House

Sarah said to her grandmother: Grandma, come to our house. Her grandmother answered: Coming, my beautiful daughter, I will come on your birthday. Sarah said with great joy: And you will bring me a gift. Her good grandmother answered: Of course, my daughter. I will bring you a big bear with a long trunk. Sarah was surprised and said to her grandmother: A bear with a trunk!! The elephant is the one with a trunk, Grandma!! ...

Juha and the Tablecloth

It is told that there was a neighbor to Juha. It was known of him that he was extremely generous and bountiful. One day, this man held a wedding and didn’t invite Juha and his wife to attend. Juha and his wife were angry at the man’s deed. They sat together thinking of a trick to attend this feast. Juha’s wife left her house and hurried to enter the neighbor’s house, imagining the feast was there. Juha was behind her running with anger and calling out to her, but the neighbors held him and began calming him and trying to prevent him from beating her. Juha’s wife hid in the neighbors’ house. Juha sat by the drums where tables were spread and food was placed. Everyone sat. Juha approached the food and began devouring it voraciously and said, “How delicious my wife’s food is. I’ve known where to feed herself.” ...

The Clever Camel

After people used to use him as a means of transportation, the day came when he used means of transportation. He realized with full awareness that his intelligence and cunning would lead him to this result one day. He felt extreme happiness as he saw the desert disappearing behind him and turning to gray color, with wide green lands on both sides. The camel took a long breath, feeling absolute happiness he had never tasted throughout his life. ...