TALES FROM THE OLD HOUSE
Stories for children affected by war and those who care about them
by Kattie Lussier
About this site
As war is knocking at the world's door once more, I decided to release the stories here in the hope that children from everywhere can enjoy them. Please share this website and tell the stories to the children around you. You can also encourage children to make drawings and share them on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/oldhouse.stories.
If you know of anyone who could help with editing the stories, translating them in Arabic, Ukrainian or any other language or illustrating them, please share this page with them and tell them to contact me.
About the author:
I began my career as a special education teacher and work in international education and cooperation since 1998. As an educator, researcher, coach and consultant I have a lot of experience working in situation of crisis and helping people to overcome trauma.
I can be contacted at lussier.kattie@gmail.com
CHAPTER 1
Once upon a time, there was an old house. Some people said that it was more than 1000 years old. It was tall and solid because it had been built with love and hard work. Over the years, the old house had protected many families. It had seen mothers having babies; babies learning to walk and run and climb and play; children learning to read and write and count and sing; young people learning all there is to learn about life; and older people sharing their wisdom with those willing to listen. Generation after generation, the old house had looked after many families, witnessed the most magical love stories and watched heartbreaking goodbyes. It had sheltered so many smiles but also several tears because life is not always fair and even the best person in the world can be sad, or even angry sometimes.
It was not an ordinary house. It was a wise house! Sometimes, at night, when everybody was in bed, and everything was dark and quiet, if you listened very carefully, you could hear her whisper soothing words to the sleeping children. You see, the old house loved everyone who lived there no matter what they did, but it loved children the most because children are special. Children can sense things that adults cannot, they can use their imagination in all kinds of ways and nothing made the old house happier than to listen to the stories that little children tell themselves when they are happy or sad or curious or scared. You see the old house loved stories nearly as much as she loved children and in all these years she had heard and told so many of them that if she had moved 1 meter for each of her stories, she could have crossed the entire country!
That year, the family living in the house was particularly happy because the mother had recently come back from the hospital with a new baby girl named Leitifa. It was the third child of the family and both her brother Sammy and her sister Nada loved her very much. They sang lullabies to their little sister and read her stories when they came back from school. The old house was satisfied because the role of a house is to keep people safe and happy and houses are like people sometimes; they feel better when they know that they are doing what is right.
One morning, however, the old house woke up to the sound of tears in the kitchen. What is happening? It wondered. Was a child hurt or sick? No, the house whispered in relief, all the children were sleeping soundly in their beds. The father had just received a phone call and had to leave. His face was dark and looked unpleased. I have no choice; the father told his wife sadly. These are the orders, and I must go now. Tell the children how much I love them and that I will visit you all as soon as I can. The old house looked at the mother. She had known her all her life because before they become mothers, women are also little girls and this one was very special to the old house because she was born right in the old house's heart. The mother was born in the bedroom of the first floor many years ago. As a result, the family and the house had always looked after each other's like good friends always do.
It always made the house sad when a member of the family left because a house where there is love is more than a house, it is a home! Each time someone left, the house felt more like a building, and she did not like feeling this way. In order not to feel too sad she remembered the good moments the father had spent in the house like Sammy's first step or the first time Nada said the word ‘daddy' or all the moments of love he had spent with his wife. Those memories made the house feel much better, but it was still thoughtful. What would the children say when they find out? How would they feel with their father away? It wondered. So the old house did the only thing it knew. It whispered to the children in their dream, softly, peacefully, relaxingly, and told them the following story.
The little mouse who was always tired
Once upon a time, there was a little mouse who was tired all the time. She would fall asleep at mice school while the teacher was talking and then be scowled or sent to the principal's office. She would fall asleep during meals and whenever she was traveling under a truck or car. She did not have enough energy to run and play like other little mice. She was doing everything very slowly, and that made her mother nervous. Hurry up, she would say, we do not have all day! Wake up, she would shout, you will fall and get run over. Watch out! She would scream. There is a cat coming! The little mouse wanted to stay awake and pay attention in class, at home and everywhere but she had no energy at all. As a result, it seemed like she was always just a step away from something terrible to happen.
Would you like to know why the little mouse was always so tired? It's because she could not sleep at night! The little mouse really tried to sleep but the more she tried, the harder it was. She would turn and turn again into her little bed or curl her little tail around her body over and over or turn in little circles in her little room and every time she would hear a big noise coming from outside she would get very scared. You see the little mouse lived under a road, and whenever a car passed nearby, the house started shaking. When our little mouse was younger, her older brother used to tell her not to worry and that he would protect her until she was big and tall enough. So the little mouse would fall asleep again, feeling safe and protected by the brother she loved so much. But the brother had gone to the city a month earlier, and the little mouse did not feel safe anymore.
Without her big brother, she felt tiny, and the big world outside looked very scary. Where was her brother, she often wondered at night? When would he come back? How could he leave her like this and break his promise to protect her until she was big enough to do it herself? Sometimes she cried so much during the night that her eyes were all puffy and red when the morning came. She was upset that her brother had left her, but she was also worried about him. Did he have to fight any big, scary thing out there? She knew that her brother would want her to sleep because he used to say that it is during their sleep that little mice become tall and strong. But the more she tried to sleep, the more she missed him; and the more she missed him, the more she worried, and that made her feel even smaller.
One day, the little mouse went to collect some grains near the flour mill with her father. A lot of mice were getting their food there because the camel that turned the mill was old and tired so he could not see too well. The grains were very tasty, so the father was sure that he would make his little one happy but by the time they reached the back of the mill where the loose grains had fallen, the little mouse was so tired that she fell asleep the moment her father turned his back. The mill was well oiled and its spinning was making a beautiful sound, so the mouse was still sleeping deeply when the camel came. The camel liked mice, but he couldn't always see them because he was tall and his neck was long. So as he stretched his front leg to spin the mill further he heard a big scream. The father had just seen his daughter right in the path of the big animal. The camel looked down and saw our little friend curled around the grain that she was supposed to eat, breathing slowly. He blew on her softly to wake her up. The father observed from a distance because he knew the camel was kind and wise.
Why are you sleeping my pretty, don't you see the sun shining high? Isn't the grain tasty enough? Am I so scary that I made you faint? Oh no, mister camel, you did not scare me at all, and your grain is excellent thank you, but since my brother left our house, I cannot fall asleep at night. Is that so, asked the camel? And why would that be? Lowering her voice as if she were to admit a crime, the little mouse told him that the big world is scary for a little mouse like her, and she told him about her brother's promise to protect her until she was tall enough. And your brother, asked the camel, was he big? Oh yes, said the little mouse, very big and strong! And your father over there, is he big? Oh yes, said the little mouse, even stronger than my brother. And me, asked the camel? What do you think about me? Well, you are the biggest animal I know, said the little mouse. But I am much smaller than this mill, much smaller than those trees over there and certainly not as strong as the trucks that humans use to transport the grain to the city. You said that the big world is scary, but you are not afraid of me. That makes you a very brave mouse. It's not because you are small that you cannot be big. The little mouse looked at the camel, curious. You see, big our small depends on how you see yourself and how you look at people around you. Continued the tall animal. I wonder just how big your brother say you are. Could it be that you are bigger and stronger than you think? The little mouse looked at the huge camel in front of her, thoughtful. The father came closer, thanked the camel respectfully, and they both went back to the house carrying their precious grains.
That night, when bedtime came, the mother and father mice came to her room. You see this line on the wall, said the mother, this is how tall you brother was when he promised to protect you. That line over there is how tall you were. The little mouse looked at the lines and smiled. She was very small at the time. Now this, said the father, is how tall you and your brother were when he left the house last month. What do you notice? The mouse spent a few minutes looking at the lines on the wall and using her tail; she compared their height quietly. You see, said the mother, you were as tall as your brother was when he made you that promise. Now look at how tall you are now. I saw you carrying that grain back from the mill today, which means that you are strong too. Your brother did not brake his promise; he waited for you to be tall and strong enough to defend yourself before he left. You are now as tall as he was. But I miss him so much, said the little mouse, how can he survive in the big world? What if he meets big scary things? Remember the camel, said the father gently, he is big and kind. Some animals can be small and mean. For Mister camel, every mouse is small, but he still respects us. For your little cousins, you are big and strong. It is not your size that matters but how you see yourself.
The little mouse listened quietly, looking at the lines on the wall. She did not feel small anymore. She looked at her parents tenderly and noticed that her mother was hiding something behind her back. What is it, she asked? The mother handed her a piece of paper. It was a letter from her brother. He was doing well and sounded happy. He said he would visit them shortly and sent her his love. Smiling, the mouse that did not feel little anymore hugged her parents and went to bed. She fell asleep very easily and never again, was she afraid at night.
CHAPTER 2
When the children woke up the next morning, the mother was quietly sitting with Leitifa in her arms. She explained them the situation and told them that the coming months might be difficult but that they would go through them together, united as a family. Sammy and Nada were not sure what it meant, but because their mother sounded strong and confident, they felt that they should be strong too. They ate their breakfast of black beans and bread and prepared quickly for school. As they walked, however, they noticed something strange. The few people they saw appeared nervous and agitated but surprisingly very few shops were open. It was as if the city was under a strange spell. Here and there they could see men that they had never seen before, holding guns and staring intensely. The two siblings looked at each others' and finding courage in being together, walked faster and finally made it to school. They went to their respective classrooms and immediately noticed that many of their friends were absent. Nada was told that her two best friends had left town with their family. Sammy knew that her sister was sad. First their father had to go, now her friends. So on the way back from school he reminded her what their father had said the last time he had to leave them. When the people you love are far away, they do not disappear. They remain in your heart for as long as you need them. Father always said, "When you can't see me with your eyes, see me with your heart, and you will feel the same joy, right here, inside of you." Strong from these words, the children forgot the strange feeling inside of their stomach and agreed to make their mother smile by playing with and taking care of Leitifa. Proud to see how well the children were coping with the situation and eager to help them fall asleep, the old house did what it did best and whispered the following story.
Mo, the little pigeon
Once upon a time, there was a family of pigeons living happily in a beautiful nest on the top of a high house. It was the perfect nest really because there were small walls on the roof that protected the nest from strong winds and there were also other pigeons living on the roof so when one of the mothers left to fetch food, the other mothers looked after the little ones. Mo was really happy. There was a lot of food for pigeons, and he could play with his friends as often as he wanted without risking being eaten by a cat or captured by a human. One day, however, big black birds flew over the roof, very low. Mo and his friends were very curious and interested. They are so big… said one of them. They are so fast… said another. And as they were looking at these strange birds, they heard a loud, deep scream that was very scary. A few minutes later another big bird flew even closer and dropped a stone on the roof while making a big deep scream and all the little pigeons ran to their mothers, frightened! What was that? Asked Mo to his parents. These birds are not from this land. I had only heard of them said the mother. I was told they were chased from their land and came here in search of new places to live, said the father, thoughtfully. They usually live in mountains or on top of tall trees, but there are no such trees over here. I wonder what they want? Whispered the mother to father pigeon. So do I, he answered.
The next morning, Mo was awakened suddenly by the loud and scary scream of the black birds but this time, it was followed by a lot of noise and confusion. A black bird had thrown another stone and this time, it had landed on one of the neighbours' nest nearly missing an egg that was hatching there. The adults were talking fast and loud; there were a lot of anger and worries in the air and Mo did not like that. He hid his little head under his wing to hide that he was feeling bad, but he was also curious, so Mo took a few deep breaths to give himself some strength and raised his head to hear the adults talking. Apparently, the black birds had not found any tree that was high enough for them to nest, so they had decided to chase all the pigeons from the house and make their own nest on the roof instead. Mo felt like his stomach was spinning inside of him. How could any bird dare to come to their roof and claim it as their own? He was born there and knew nothing else. While he was thinking, some of his friends came close to him. My mom said that we should leave and find another roof, one of them said. I think we should stay and fight them, said another. Fighting? But how? These birds are so big and can fly so high. If they start throwing stones at us, or if they land and destroy our nests, we don't stand any chance. Mo was thinking in silence. His mother had recently laid eggs in the nest and eggs cannot be transported just like that to another roof or even to the ground. What would happen? He wondered sadly.
As he was reflecting, he heard the terrifying scream of the black birds again and this time, there were, at least, three of them. He felt the feathers on his back rise and his little legs started to shiver. The birds dropped stones very near them, and the little pigeons flew away to avoid them. Mo's little heart was beating very fast. He hated those big birds. He felt so upset inside that the duvet on his head was straight up in the air, and he looked as if his head was twice its normal size. After the incident, all the parents ran to their children and everyone went back to their nests. Mo, said the mother, your uncle and aunt are leaving for some time to protect your cousins, and we want you to go with them. No! said Mo in shock. I don't want to leave; I want to be with you! My dear Mo, said the father, calmly, your mother and I have made a difficult decision, but it is for your safety. We cannot leave the eggs behind, but we must protect you. It is for your own good, and you will be leaving tonight with your uncle and his family. No!!! No!!! I want to stay and help you protect the eggs. I can fight those big bad birds. Fight? Asked the mother looking deeply into Mo's eyes. Do you think it would make us any safer? Sometimes wisdom is better than muscles. Pigeons may not be the biggest birds nor the fastest, but we never lose our way because we think things through and never forget the lessons we learn. But I don't want to leave you…. Mo said softly, I don't want to go away. Listen to me, my son, said the father. You are not leaving for ever, just the time that someone finds a solution. We will be with you in your heart, and you will always be able to find your way back home because home is within you.
So that afternoon, Mo hugged his parents and left with his uncle, aunt, and all his cousins. It was so unfair, he thought. He did not want to go. Be brave my son and never forget who you really are! Said the father. Mo felt like something inside of him was ripped apart. Had he been a human he would have surely cried, but pigeons don't have tears, so he hid his head under his little wing to hide the sorrow in his eyes. Would he ever see his parents again? Would he ever meet the brothers and sisters still sleeping inside the eggs?
The trip was very tiring. Mo had never been so far from the nest before. The sadness inside him was so deep, so profound that he felt it like a weight inside his stomach. Like when you eat a stone rather than a grain, like everything inside you feels hard and heavy. He wanted to scream, to shout and tell the entire world about those black birds and how unfair it was that the pigeons had to suffer when they had nothing to do with what happened to them. Why did the strongest birds have to impose their way? Why didn't anyone come forward to help them? Lost in his sad thoughts, Mo hadn't realised that he was flying slower than his cousins and the distance between them was increasing more and more. His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by his uncle who had turned around to reach him. Mo, he said, I understand how sad you feel and how difficult it must be to fly while carrying the weight of your pain, but you must understand that the heaviness you feel inside is just a perception. It is not real. You can choose to let your pain and anger take you down, or you can throw those feelings to the winds and fly faster than you ever flew before. Race with me Mo, let's catch up your cousins and you will see that as you do something fun, you will begin to feel the tensions inside of you go away. And as you feel the sun on your head, and the wind in your face, you may even begin to see things that you had never noticed before. You may even begin to think things through differently. Because when you take your attention away from your problems, your energy increases and when your energy flows, you can achieve anything. Looking at Mo straight in the eyes, the uncle flapped his wings very fast and extended his neck in the speeding position. Follow me nephew, and give your sadness to the wind!
Mo followed his uncle, swirling and gliding on the wind, letting everything go, every thought, every emotion, just enjoying the moment, flapping his little wings as fast as he could, feeling the sun and the wind as he never had before. Mo looked down at the world below him, feeling his muscles, hearing the beating of his heart and, just as his uncle had said, his chest suddenly felt lighter and lighter. And because he was beginning to have fun, he was able to fly faster and higher. Each time I breathe, he thought, I feel better and better. The higher Mo flew, the more confidence he got, and Mo suddenly began to notice the sky. He had seen the sky every single day since he was born but away from the nest, so far from his family, it seemed as if he was noticing the changes in its colours for the first time. Like if the sky was revealing its true beauty for the very first time. Mo felt like the sky was trying to tell him something. You know when you look at something so beautiful, and you don't know why but you just think "everything is going to be fine". Mo still missed his family very much, but deep down he knew that he would see them again, so he kept flying and looking at the sun, as it sets slowly. And when the pigeons were totally surrounded by a soothing shade of pink and orange, they landed on the top of an old shed.
CHAPTER 3
The following week the family was sleeping peacefully after what had been a very long day. Sammy had spent most of the afternoon waiting to buy cooking fuel while Nada and her mother visited the few shops still open to make provisions of food. Life had changed so much for the family, but the love they shared had never been stronger. Everything was quiet, and the old house was also resting when, suddenly, they were all awakened by the sound of a big explosion and vibrations so strong that the house started shaking. As old as she was and even with a thousand years of memories, the old house had never experienced anything like this. Leitifa started crying very loudly while Sammy and Nada ran out of their room, terrified.
What is going on? Asked Sammy. It must be an airstrike, said the mother, holding her children in her arms. Sammy took a deep breath. His heart was beating faster than anything he could remember. Nada was shaking, her eyes full of tears. She had heard of airstrikes in other parts of the country, but she never thought that it could happen to them. She wanted to talk, but no sound was coming out of her throat. She wanted to move, but it was like if her entire body was frozen. Like her arms and legs no longer followed her commands. Even if she could have talked, she felt as if no word could describe how she felt. She had been scared before but this, this was beyond anything she experienced. Like everything inside of her was on high alert. Like the blood in her veins and the air in her lungs were boiling inside of her. What was going on? Was she going crazy? Leitifa's cries were resonating louder and louder as she moved nervously in her mothers' arms.
It's ok children, said the mother, no one is hurt. We are all together, and everything is going to be fine. Let's sit down and stay here together for the night. The mother took a few deep breaths, very slowly and Leitifa started to calm down. She looked at her three children lovingly. It's ok to be scared, but you can relax now. She pulled Nada towards her very gently and gave her a kiss. Sing with me, she said tenderly. It will help you feel better. The mother started a lullaby. At first, her voice was a little shaky, but as she relaxed, it became smoother, and she felt better and better as she sang. Nada could barely move her lips, but as she closed her eyes and focussed on the soothing sound of her mother's voice, she felt peace coming back inside of her slowly. Sammy joined the signing and Nada stopped shaking. Her mother was right, she thought. They were all alive, and they were together. She started signing as well, very softly and as she did, she felt something lift in her stomach. She began to relax more and more and little by little good feelings such as love, tenderness, and calm, replaced the bad ones inside of her. It was early morning when the family managed to fall back asleep, and as they did, the old house whispered them the following story.
The little leopard that was afraid to disappear
Once upon a time, there was a little leopard who lived happily with his mother and older brother in a small mountain cave. The little leopard loved to lie on the branch of a tree just in front of the cave while looking at his brother chasing birds and mice and sometimes lizards. Once in a while, the brothers would follow their mother further away from the cave to track a gazelle or a goat. On those trips, he could often hear loud, sharp noises like if someone was hitting something very hard with a stone but much louder. BANG! BANG! Whenever they heard such noise, they were told to hide quietly and wait. Then, his mother would be on high alert, looking everywhere but extremely silent. He admired the way his mother could remain completely still in the face of danger. It was very hard for him not to move. He always felt like he needed to move something, a paw, his tail, anything. The little leopard did not like those moments. He had seen a gazelle fall dead after hearing such a noise and his brother had told him that the same had happened to a leopard he knew some years ago. Apparently, when his family went looking for him, his body had disappeared. The little leopard was very scared. He did not tell anyone because leopards are supposed to be very brave but whenever he heard the noise BANG! BANG! He felt shivers down his spine and started trembling so much that the spots on his fur could almost fall. Well, at least, that's how he felt inside because the spots on his back were still all there but his heart was beating so hard and so fast that he sometimes wondered if it would break. Can a heart break when you are too scared?
One day the mother asked him to observe while she and the brother approached the Gazelle. Just as his brother was getting really close, he heard the loud noise again, BANG! Run! Shouted the mother. But the brother was so surprised he did not move. BANG! The little leopard observing the scene was so scared that he started peeing, right there where he stood. Was his brother going to die? Run! The mother screamed with a high pitch voice that the little leopard had never heard before. BANG! The Gazelle felt dead so close to the brother that the two shadows merged on the ground. He ran away as fast as he could to meet his mother. On the way back home, everyone was quiet. After a while, the mother broke the silence. My dear son, she said, today I thought I would lose you. The brother felt ashamed for not running when his mother told him to and was expecting her to lecture him about it, but the mother said nothing more and lovingly licked her son's head.
The next day our little leopard was playing with his friends near the cave where he lived. Suddenly he heard a noise in the distance and then another one, BANG! Closer this time, and just as he had done the last time, he started shivering and peed, right there, in front of all his friends. All the other leopards started laughing at him. HAHAHA you are scared they giggled, the hunters are far from here. Do you think that bullets can pass through stones? The little leopard was really ashamed. He was not a baby, why did he pee in front of his friends like this? You are such a coward! One of the leopards said. You are not a leopard; you are a mouse! They teased him. You are a mouse! You are a mouse! The little leopard left and returned to the cave where his mother and brother were resting. He felt sad, angry and confused at the same time. The emotions inside him were like a thousand butterflies flapping in his chest; he felt horrible. What if they were right, he thought? I am scared, does that make me a coward? He knew that the hunters were far. As he walked into the cave, his brother asked him what was wrong. NOTHING you coward! He shouted. The brother jumped on his feet extremely fast ready to reply, but the mother stopped him calmly and walked towards her younger son. She led him to a remote place of the cave where they could talk freely. The little leopard told his mother what had happened.
No, my son, you are not coward, and your friends should not have teased you this way. You see, fear makes our body behave in different ways. Fear is a good thing because it is there to protect us from harm. It is fear that makes us run away from danger or be careful when we approach dangerous areas. Mothers too are afraid you know. Really? The little leopard asked? Even you? Of course, do you think I am a coward? Oh no! said the little leopard. You are the bravest mother leopard of all! You see, said the mother calmly, I know the dangers out there, and I am always afraid that one day I will lose one of you. This is why I teach you when to stay still and when to run. But you see, my son, I respect my fear, and I don't let it control me.
The little leopard looked at his mother intensely. She smiled back the way only leopards can smile. Mom, he whispered. Why do animals disappear? What happens when we die? You are afraid to disappear aren't you? The mother asked lovingly. The little leopard nodded softly. This is a big question; the mother replied, and no one knows for sure, but you see some animals need to die for others to eat, some animals die because they are old and tired or have an accident and their bodies then feed the earth so the grass can grow and life continues. But some lives are also taken unfairly by people who do not respect it, and this is against nature. You should never be afraid of the noise because the noise is only a message to be careful and not even of the guns for they do not have a will of their own. What you should be afraid of are the people who do not respect life. Now no-one can know, not even the wisest one, when and how our lives will end and it is for this reason that we must make the most of each day, live each moment and appreciate every little thing that makes us happy because life is a gift that should not be taken for granted. If you are kind with others and do your best in everything you do, you will make a difference no matter how long your life is, and this, my son, is the only thing that matters.
The little leopard hugged his mom and ran to his brother to apologise. All the butterflies inside of him had gone. He was no longer angry at his friends. The little leopard lived a very long life and had many little leopards of his own. He got scared many times in his life, but he never peed unwillingly again.
CHAPTER 4
The next day a neighbour came to the house early to see if everyone was ok and tell the mother that the school would be closed until further notice. Sammy was disappointed but not really surprised because rumours had been going on for a while. The teachers had told the children that the school could close in case of danger. Surely, the previous night's events were a sign that things were not as they should be. Seeing the sad look on his sister's face, he forced a smile on his own and, placing his arm on Nada's shoulder, he said: Look at the bright side sister. Now you have the time to rest and this afternoon, if our mother agrees, I'll walk with you to our cousins' house so you can spend some time playing with them. Nada smiled slightly.
Later that day they left the house to visit their cousins who lived just a few streets away. As they walked, however, they were really surprised. Just at the end of the road across from where they lived was a huge hole with mountains of rubbles next to it. There was nothing left from the two houses that used to be there. Everywhere around them there was dust. Everything, from the cars to the trees, was covered by dust. I wonder if that's how the moon looks like? Thought Nada. I can't recognize this place anymore. Said Sammy. They kept looking around, intrigued and sad. There was broken glass everywhere as if all the windows had broken at the same time. As if all the neighbourhood's houses had been crying tears of broken glass. That evening the children went to bed early but a though kept preventing them from falling asleep. Would there be another strike? Could their house be the next one to fall? The old house watched them tenderly and when they finally closed their eyes, she whispered the following story.
The pigeon and the strange bird
One morning, Mo, a little pigeon who had been forced to leave his nest to go with his uncle's family, woke up and looked around him. Everything appeared strange to him. It wasn't a bad feeling, but it felt awkward. Like that feeling you have when things around you are suddenly very different from how you would like them to be, and it just doesn't feel right. Have you ever felt like a goat in a tree? Or like a fish in the desert? Well, Mo felt a little like that. I want to go home. He said loudly but to himself. I want things to be as they were before. As he spoke, he heard a strange voice behind him. An old squeaky voice that somehow reminded him of the sound of a rusty door when it opens slowly. ‘Home'? What do you mean by that? Asked the voice. In the rays of the morning lights, Mo had to move his head left and right to make sense of the strange bird that was walking slowly towards him. It looked very old, and some of his feathers appeared blue in the morning light. He must have been a magnificent creature in his youth, Mo thought, but now it looked very strange.
Mo felt slightly embarrassed that his thoughts had been overheard by a stranger like that. The feathers on his head raised slightly as the old bird looked at him, visibly expecting an answer to his question. Well, you know, ‘home'… the nest where I was born and where my parents live. Oh! I see, said the bird nodding his head gently. You left your nest to seek new adventures! Good for you! I did that too when I was young, and now I dare say that experience is the mother of all learning. Mo turned his head slightly as he tried to understand what the bird was saying. What an odd bird he thought. The old bird smiled and continued. You should be happy young one, yet I see the sadness in your eyes. Why? Mo lowered his head so low that his little beak disappeared in the feathers of his chest. Happy? How could I be happy when I am so far from everything I love and worried for my family all the time? Well, if you miss them, it's because you love them, and the capacity to love is a great gift. Mo moved aside slightly, unsure, and looked at the old bird intensely as he continued to talk. I may not see my children very often, but I am always grateful to have them in my heart because you see, I know that they love me just as your parents love you, and that is something worth being happy about. Isn't it?
Mo stopped moving for a moment as his attention shifted towards the old bird's eyes. He felt his head nod gently. That's right, said the bird, with a much softer voice. Knowing that you are loved, even when you are separated from that person, really can make you happy. Now tell me, do you sometimes feel that your heart is very heavy and you are not sure what to do with this? Of course, I feel like this each time I think about my parents and when I fly it feels as if the pain is bringing me down. Hmmm, said the old bird, if you allow yourself to look beyond the pain, you may begin to realise that what makes your heart like this is all the love you have inside. Mo was now very curious. The old bird continued with a soft smile. Now young pigeon you should know that love can be as heavy or as light as you want it to be. Just imagine all the people in your heart spreading their wings to fly. Does it feel lighter now? Mo took a deep breath and put his wing on his heart. It felt lighter, and it made him feel better.
Mo observed the old bird standing in front of him for a while. It was a very strange bird with feathers sticking oddly on top of his head and several spots on his neck with no feathers at all. One of his eyes seemed to always look towards his beak no matter where the old bird was staring. It looked as if old parts of different birds had been glued back together by nature and he was limping somehow. That bird looks funny, Mo thought, but his little heart did not feel like laughing.
How can I be happy when my own parents forced me to come to this strange place with my uncle and aunt? How can I be happy when no one cares about what I think or what I want? Mo's sadness was slowly turning into frustration, and he kicked a small piece of rubble with his foot. Humm, that's a very strong leg you have there, I wonder if your wings are as strong said the old bird. Please don't mock me, sir. I really don't feel like that, Mo replied. Mocking you? I would not dare. I was simply admiring the privileges of youth that I have long lost. If you look at my wings, you will see that I cannot fly anymore. This is the result of an encounter with a cat a few years ago. But tell me please, how do you feel exactly? I feel… I feel…. Mo did not really know how to talk about his feeling, it was all very confusing for him. Was it anger? Was it frustration? Was it loneliness? Fear? I feel all mixed up! Mo shouted finally. I feel all mixed up and out of control! Everyone is deciding for me, and I am tired of that. As he spoke, he turned his back to the old bird and hid his head into his wing.
Mo felt as if something inside of him had lifted gently as if talking about his feelings had opened a door to something, but he wasn't sure what it was. He felt the movement of the old bird getting closer to him. Young one, the bird said softly, there are times in life when you must trust the judgment of the people who love you. If your parents sent you here, they must have had a good reason. Now there may also be moments in your life when you feel trapped. You see the marks on my neck? Mo nodded. These are from a time when I was locked in a cage. These were really hard times because I could not fetch food or water for myself. I could not fly away or even walk around properly. I had to wait patiently for a human to bring me what I needed without any mean of telling them what I really wanted. Sometimes they would take so long to clean my cage and change my water that it would start to smell very bad, and I often became very hungry, but I learned something very important in those days. I learned that you are always free inside your head. Mo looked at the old bird, confused. Free in your head? What on earth did that mean? It means that nobody can control what happens in your mind. Even when you feel powerless and out of control, you can always use the power of your imagination to go anywhere you want and do anything that makes you happy. That's how I survived all those years that I was locked in the cage. Do You want to try? Oh yes! said Mo eagerly.
Now this is how it works: close your eyes for a moment and focus on your breathing. Just sense the air coming in and out. That's right, you are doing very well. A few more breaths, that's it. Now think about a happy place. Really think about it until you begin to see it in your head. Imagine yourself playing around and having fun in your happy place. See the things and the people around you. You may even begin to feel the wind or the sun or the ground under your feet. Maybe you can smell something or hear something. Just remember all the things that make you happy in this place. Soon you will begin to smile and feel very good inside. Just let that smile grow and the good feeling spread everywhere in your body. That's right. How do you feel now? Mo was now smiling. He felt calmer and happier. Stay there as long as you want, said the old bird, just know that you can go back there any time you want and as often as you need. When you are ready, just open your eyes.
Mo opened his eyes, looked at the old bird and started laughing. Why do you laugh asked the bird? Because you were there with me. Mo replied. Together we pushed your cage off the roof of a house, and it broke in very small pieces so no more bird can be trapped in it anymore. Oh, thank you! Said the old bird smiling. Mo continued laughing; I even imagined that the bits of the cage were falling on the head of the big birds at home and scaring them away. The old bird started laughing as well. It must have been very funny he said. Oh yes, answered Mo. You are a very funny bird, mister, and I am happy to have you as my new friend.
CHAPTER 5
The weeks that followed were particularly difficult for the family. There were frequent gunshots in the streets and occasional car bombs in different parts of town. The children were rarely allowed to get out of the house, and while Nada was keeping busy helping her mother and playing with Leitifa, Sammy was getting more and more preoccupied with the fighting going on. Every stick he came across became an imaginary gun. Every visitor, a fellow fighter or enemy. He was no longer playing his usual games, and that made the old house very sad. They hadn't had electricity in a long time, and fresh food and water was rare. Sammy often felt his stomach grumbling and that made him very moody. Sometimes he would even get angry at his sister. When Nada was sad, she would remember the story of the strange bird and imagine she was playing outside or doing funny things. She would sing for her baby sister or invent stories for her, but Sammy often refused to play. He was too old for such games, he thought.
One day their aunt Faiza came to visit. She was their father's oldest sister and they loved her very much. Leitifa had developed some form a skin rash that the mother had never seen; she had asked their aunt to come and have a look. As the two women were taking care of Leitifa, Sammy and Nada continued playing their usual games in separate corners of the house. Aunt Faiza observed from the distance. From times to times, Sammy would come close to his sister and push her around as he pretended to be part of some defense operation. When Leitifa was returned to bed, Aunt Faiza went to talk to him. Why don't you play with your sister she asked? Well, she plays a game where she imagines herself in a happy place. I am too old for that I prefer to play war because one day I may have to defend this house. Oh, I see. Said the aunt calmly. I am happy that you want to protect your family it is very noble, but do you really think that pushing your sister around is going to keep her safe? You look so angry my dear nephew. Feelings like pain, frustration and anger only prevent you from being alert enough to take the best decision in a time of danger, and it is that kind of thinking that can keep you and your family safe. Sammy looked at his aunt. I am angry, and I am upset, and I don't want to push Nada around, it just happens. He said.
Aunt Faiza sat down as she looked tenderly into her nephew's eyes. I like the happy place game a lot you know. In fact, I often play it myself when I feel sad. Sammy looked at his aunt curiously as if he couldn't believe that a grown up could play imaginary games. He suddenly felt bad for judging his sister. After all, he was happy that she had found a way to cope with the hardships of the war. “Happy memories are resources that are given to us to help us go through the difficult moments of life”. The aunt said. As I look at you, nephew, I can really understand how you feel. You are like a little hedgehog. Sammy had a movement back. He did not like to be compared to those animals with their bodies covered with spines. Seeing the look in Sammy's face, aunt Faiza smiled and extended her hand towards Sammy, inviting him to sit by her side.
Do you see that little box over there? I gave it to your father when he was about your age. Sammy looked at the small wooden box. It was old, and the decorations on the top had started to fade. From as far as he could remember, there had never been anything in the box. It's empty, said Sammy, he never puts anything in it. To YOU it looks empty, said the aunt slowly, it's because, for your father and I, this box is special. It may look exactly like many other boxes you will see in the bazar, but when I gave it to your dad, I told him to put all his bad feelings inside. Sammy gave a strange look to his aunt. Put feelings in a box? Aunt Faiza laughed as she continued. Yes, and your father gave me exactly that look the day I gave him the box. Do you sometimes feel that you are angry and do not really know why? Like it is just eating you from inside? Sammy looked down as the aunt continued. Do you sometimes feel like an animal in a cage, with so much energy but no way to let it out? Do you sometimes feel the frustration of not being able to do what you want even though you don't really know what exactly it is that you want? Do you sometimes feel that something is burning inside you, and you don't know exactly what it is? Yes! said Sammy. Then take a deep breath and just notice where you feel this in your body. Maybe you feel it like a weight in your heart, maybe it's like a buzzing thing in your stomach, maybe you feel it in your head or anywhere else in your body. When you have identified where that bad feeling is, just pretend that you can open a little door inside of you, take it out, and put it into the box. When the bad feeling is in the box, or the bag or buried in a whole, or anywhere you want to put it, you will be able to focus on happy things again. And if you ever feel that your pain or your anger or your sadness is too big to fit in a small box then just squeeze it in your hands before you put it inside. Then, you will see that the box is much bigger on the inside and can take in all the emotions you want, no matter how big or small.
Sammy was not too sure, but he tried, he felt as if he had a million ants in his body that made him want to move all the time and push people around. He took three deep breaths and realised that the feeling was in his legs, he shook them a little and imagined he was removing all the ants and putting them in the box. Then he felt better, he said thank you to his aunt and went playing with his sister. The old house was happy. Aunt Faiza had given it an idea, and it knew exactly which story to whisper that night.
The hedgehog and the jerboa
Far in the North, in the Rub Al-Khali desert, lived a little hedgehog. Like all desert hedgehogs, he slept all day in his burrow and came out at night, when the weather is cooler, to hunt an insect, a little snake or his absolute favourite, a tasty scorpion. Sometimes, a predator would come and try to catch him, but he would curl himself into a ball, hiding his little head and his little legs so only his spines would show. In the harsh environment of the desert, our little hedgehog was a survivor! Many animals had tried to capture him, but no one had ever succeeded, and soon our little hedgehog had earned himself the reputation of being tough! One night, a jerboa came to talk to him. He was smaller and weaker and only ate insects, seeds, and plants so he was no danger to our hedgehog at all, but our friend was so used to curl into a ball to scare away other animals that he reacted in the same way. He felt really sad afterward because he did not want to be rude to the jerboa, but it just happened! Every time an animal tried to come close to him, even those who meant him no harm, he would curl up and show them his spines. Being tough is nice when you want to keep people away but after a while, our hedgehog became lonely because the other animals soon stopped talking to him. Worse, they were avoiding him completely!
Sometimes, when he was cleaning his burrow or digging on the ground, he would hear them talk about him. They would say things like "beware of the needle ball" or "stay away from the mad hedgehog house". The animals thought that he was bad. Little did they know how sad the little hedgehog was and how soft he really was, inside! You see the little hedgehog was so busy protecting himself that he forgot how important it is to show your soft side to those who mean well and want to help you. He wanted to be the jerboa's friend but how could he? They were so different. The jerboa had a soft fur, and he was covered with spines. One evening as he was waking up, he heard tiny footsteps nearby. It must be the jerboa, he thought. This time, he would be very careful, forget his fear and talk to him. Hello, he said, from inside his burrow. What's your name? Jebi, said a soft little voice. My name is Spiky, and I would like to talk to you said the little hedgehog very quickly as if he were afraid that the words would get stuck in his throat. Just come out of your burrow said the jerboa. The stars are out and the night is cool. The little hedgehog's heart was beating very fast. He wanted a friend but felt shy because of the way he had reacted the last time he met the jerboa. What if he got himself into a ball again, sometimes it just happened… like a reflex, like something you do without thinking about it. He was so used to protect himself he did not really know how to make friends. What if he had nothing interesting to say to the jerboa? Would he make a fool of himself or scare the jerboa away? Would the other animals make even more fun of him? Don't be afraid, Spiky, said the little voice from outside the burrow, just come out.
I am coming, he said walking slowly towards the entrance of the burrow. Spiky was a little bit worried so he took three deep breaths and thought about a friend he had when he was younger. A little hedgehog like him. He had not seen him in a very long time. As he thought about his friend, the little hedgehog felt better, it was as if the memory made him smile from the inside. Full of the friendly feeling, he walked out of the burrow. The sun had just disappeared behind the hills, and there was just a glimmer of pink and orange in the sky. Already, he could see some stars towards the east. The air was fresh, and the desert was completely quiet. The little jerboa was smiling but keeping his distance. I am happy to meet you Jebi, in fact, I wanted to talk to you for a long time but… the little hedgehog looked down, embarrassed; he did not know how to finish his sentence. That's ok, said Jebi, coming a little closer. The important is that you talked to me today and because we can talk now, I can get to know you, and you can get to know me which means that we will not be afraid of each other’s anymore.
I am sorry for the other day, said Spiky, sincerely. He looked at the sand at his feet, too shy to look at the jerboa. I don't know why I reacted like that. Maybe you were stressed or nervous said Jebi. Spiky looked at her. He had never really thought about that. We all feel strange when there is danger around, it's part of our lives, and it's normal. I run, and I hide. You cannot run as fast as me, but you are lucky, you have the best defense system of all the animals of the desert. She pointed at the spines. Spiky observed his jerboa friend for a moment. She had very big ears and long mustaches. Her back legs seemed twice as big as her front ones, and her tail was so long it could easily be confused with a warm. Lucky? These things on my back keep everybody away, the little hedgehog muttered, sadly, touching his spines with his paw. Everybody? Asked Jebi, looking into her new friend's eyes? Well not you, answered Spiky. Exactly, continued the jerboa with a wide smile in her face. It isn't your spines that kept me away but your attitude. I thought you did not want to be friend with a jerboa. Today I know that it isn't true. There are many ways to deal with your emotions just as there are different reasons to be nervous. Spiky listened attentively as the jerboa continued. Defending yourself by curling into a ball is a very good way to deal with dangerous animals, and many of us wish we could do the same, but it is not very helpful when you are shy or bored. Tell me, asked Jebi, were you afraid to talk to me today? Is it why you stayed in the burrow? Spiky nodded his head. And what did you do to gain confidence and talk to me? I took deep breaths and thought about a friend, answered our little hedgehog. Well done! That's a great thing to do, said Jebi. I should try it too. When I am nervous, I like to do something that keeps me busy like digging or running. You just have to learn to react in the way that is appropriate to the situation. You did it today, which means that you can do it again, and again. Spiky felt proud of himself. He had managed to control his nervousness and had made a new friend. The two animals kept talking for a while then went to look for food. They realised that they had many things in common and were not so different after all.
In the nights that followed the word spread that the little hedgehog was not bad at all, and soon he had many friends. Spiky was now a happy hedgehog, and he remained friend with Jebi for a long, long time.
CHAPTER 6
The following night, the old house had a bad feeling. It could hear the grumbling sounds of the war planes even louder than usual. The family had been sleeping together on the first floor for several nights now, and it felt as if their bodies were recognising the vibrations of an approaching aircraft. With each roaring sound began the unbearable waiting for the explosion. Seconds felt like hours as everyone wondered where the bombs would fall. Even the cotton balls in Leitifa's ears could not stop her from waking up in tears. The sounds of the nights were simply terrifying. The mother was doing her best to keep the children calm, surrounding them with all her love, but just like every night of the last few weeks, she kept on high alert. Nada and Sammy could not sleep. Was tonight the night when a bomb would hit their house?
As she had done so many times before, the mother started to sing, but her music was abruptly interrupted by the loudest explosion they had heard so far. The ground shook so hard that all the windows shattered at once and pieces of the ceiling started falling everywhere. Quickly the mother rushed her children outside the house just on time to see the eastern wall of the house crumble and fall. They closed their eyes to protect themselves from the dust and smoke and held each other tightly. When all the noise stopped, the mother kept holding her children in silence for several minutes, waiting to see if everything was safe. Nada was afraid to open her eyes. Were they really alive? The night seemed as if it had lasted forever. Everywhere, babies were crying, and people were running. She put her hand on her heart; it was beating so loudly and so fast. She remembered the story of the little leopard and felt better. Sammy took a deep breath, then looked at his sisters. We are lucky, he said. It could have been much worse. The mother looked lovingly at her children and told them not to fear, that everything would be fine. They were all alive, and they were together.
The old house was wounded but not defeated. The family was well, and that's all that mattered to her. She had protected them long enough to get out. That deserved a story, she thought.
The pigeon and the brave little boy
One day, Mo, a little pigeon, was eating crumbs on the side of a road with his cousins when he saw a little boy walking by. Mo had only seen humans from a distance, but he knew enough about them to know that boys that size usually don't go around on their own. Where are his parents? He wondered. The little boy was all alone and looked a bit lost. Mo, felt bad for him because you see, Mo had been sent away with his uncle's family and he missed his parents deeply. So, he decided to follow the little boy discretely. Suddenly, just as the little boy was reaching a curve in the road, a car appeared from nowhere and hit the little boy who was propelled on the side of the road. Mo was shocked! He observed the scene, too scared to breath. Would the little boy be ok? Someone rushed out of the car. The little boy was alive, but he seemed to have hurt his head. The noise of the accident had attracted the pigeons' attention and soon they were all observing the scene with Mo. The driver took the little boy in his arms and put him in the car. What will happen now, uncle? Mo asked, worried. They will surely take him to the doctor, answered the uncle, a big grey pigeon with a little touch of white on top of his head. Can I follow them and see where they go? Yes, said the uncle but stay in the air and be careful.
Mo followed the car all the way to a big building with lots of humans. When the little boy was taken inside, he was not moving at all. Surely, he will not go anywhere today, Mo thought, as he went back to his uncle's nest. The next day Mo went back to the building and looked through each window until he saw the little boy. He was in a room with a lot of people. He had big bandages around his head, but Mo could still recognise him. His eyes were closed, and he did not move at all. He listened carefully as two humans with white coats talked. There were a man and a woman. They must be doctors, he thought. Still no sign of his parents? Asked the woman. No, doctor, answered the man, no one came to see him, and the driver who brought him here has no idea who he is and where he came from. His head and back injuries are serious, said the doctor, as she walked towards the window. She looked at Mo standing outside. If he wakes, up, he may never talk or walk again. At those words, Mo looked at the little boy in the corner of the room. He looked so small and lonely. Mo felt a deep sadness inside of him. His little pigeon's heart had been touched by that little boy. You are not alone; he wanted to tell him. I'll be back to see you.
So the next morning Mo came back, and the next day, and the next day. The little boy was still sleeping and did not move. Day after day the other people in the room were changing. Some were coming and others leaving, but the little boy was still there, sleeping. Until one morning, Mo noticed a movement. Like a fluttering of the eyes. Mo put his little head against the windowpane to see better, the little boy had opened his eyes and was looking at him. Rourrr, Rourrr, Mo could not speak the language of the humans, but he wanted to tell the little boy not to be scared, that he was his friend. He moved his head left and right gently looking intensely into the little boy's eyes. After a few minutes, the woman doctor walked into the room. Hello! She said. She looked very happy to see that the little boy was awake. What is your name? The little boy did not answer. He just looked at her; he seemed confused. Mo thought that he would also be very confused if he woke up one day not knowing where he was and surrounded by strangers. I would be very scared; he whispered to himself. So he flapped his little wings slowly and very gently to attract the little boy's attention, and when he looked at him, Mo moved his little head again in an attempt to comfort him. Rourrr, Rourrr. I am doctor Fatima, said the lady, what is your name? But the little boy did not answer. How old are you? Asked a man in a nearby bed. Where do you come from? Asked another one. Nothing! The little boy kept looking at Mo and paid no attention to the adults near him. Can you hear me asked doctor Fatima? But the little boy did not even move. Get some rest, she said gently while smiling at him, I'll be back later.
Mo saw the doctor leave the room and flew to the other window hoping to hear what she was telling the other humans. He is awake but does not respond, said the doctor. If he cannot talk, we may not be able to find his parents. Mo was very sad; he went back to the window of the little boy's room. The boy looked very sad and was looking at the ceiling. Rourrrr, Roourrrr said Mo, hoping to catch his friend's attention. Rourrr, Rourrr. Recognising the pigeon who had been visiting them so often, an old lady opened the window just enough for Mo to be able to pass his head through and once again, he attempted to call his friend. Rourrr, Rourrr. This time, the little boy turned his head and smiled at the little pigeon. Good lord! Said the woman, now we know that you are not deaf my boy. That little bird over there has been visiting you every single day since I came to this hospital. It's a very dedicated friend that you have there. Mo was not used to receive compliments, but he was so happy to see the little boy smile that he started moving his head left and right making gentle sounds to remind the little boy that he was not alone. He waited there, by the window until his human friend fell asleep and then went back to his nest.
The next morning Mo was very excited. He woke up with the first rays of the sun and went to the hospital. The little boy was already awake and looking at the window as if he was waiting for Mo to arrive. At the sight of the pigeon, the little boy had a big smile. Suddenly, he saw the door open. Doctor Fatima walked in with a man wearing a white coat. Hello, she said. How are you today? The little boy did not answer. This is doctor Ahmed; she said extending her hand towards the man by her side. I would really like to know your name; doctor Fatima continued. But once again, the little boy did not say anything. The same thing happened for the next two days. The more questions people asked him, the more the little boy looked away. They tried to make him walk, but he would not move either. Mo wanted the little boy to talk so the doctors could send a message to his parents but how? He was just a little pigeon, how could he help his friend?
One morning as the doctors were visiting he started to coo very loudly. Rourrr, rourrr. Noticing the little pigeon, the old lady looked at the doctors and said: You know, doctor, there is a little pigeon that has been coming here every day. I think we should catch it and cook it for diner. Mo didn't even have the time to recover from his shock and fly away that a big No! came from the bed. The little boy had spoken his first word in all the time he had been in the hospital. Is this pigeon your friend? Asked doctor Ahmed. The little boy nodded. Then you should go to the window and talk to him. Mo observed quietly. Big tears started forming in the little boy's eyes and rolling down his cheeks. I can't, he whispered in a sob. It's too far, and I will fall. It's ok, said the doctor just put your hands on my shoulders and stand up. If you just stand up, we will take you to the window. It was very difficult, and the little boy's legs hurt a lot but he wanted to see the little pigeon closer and say thank you for watching over him all this time, so he put his arms around the doctors' neck, turned his legs with great difficulty and let his feet slip from the bed and touch the floor. It took all his strengths. The little pigeon was so proud of the efforts of his friend that he started jumping up and down on the windowpane. Doctor Ahmed took the little boy in his arms and brought him to the window. Thank you! Said the little boy. Rourrr, rourrrr, said Mo.
From that day, the little boy started to make efforts to walk. It was very difficult and at first, he made only one step, then two steps, then three steps. Sometimes he would fall but each time the little pigeon was flapping his wings, moving his head and cooing in support of his friend and the little boy would stand up again. Day after day, even when his legs hurt, even when he was tired, even when he was sad of being away from his parents, whenever he saw Mo, the little boy got out of bed and moved towards the window where the little pigeon was waiting for him. One afternoon, to Mo's delight, he walked the entire distance between his bed and the window. The old lady opened the window, and the little boy caressed Mo's head softly.
Mo was so happy that the little feathers on top of his head went straight up. Rrrrrr, rrrrr. The little boy touched Mo's wings slowly. I wish I could fly too. He said. At that moment, the door of the room opened. Doctor Fatima had a beautiful smile on her face as she walked in. Well, look at you! You made it! Well done said doctor Ahmed. We have a surprise for you. A surprise? The little boy wondered. Yes, said doctor Fatima. Someone is here for you! As she spoke a woman ran into the room. Her eyes were full of tears, but they were tears of joy. Mother! Said the little boy with a trembling voice. I thought I would never see you again. We have been looking for you everywhere my son said the mother, holding the little boy so closely he was almost entirely wrapped in her dress. Your father is waiting for us. We are going home. Mo was so happy. The little boy looked at Mo, thoughtfully. The little pigeon cooed and flapped his wings to say goodbye. He knew that the little boy needed to go back to his family. The boy kissed the top of Mo's head very gently, and the little pigeon flew away. The touching reunion brought back memories of Mo's own family. How were they? How long has it been since he last saw his mother? He remembered the last words his parents had told him before he left "We will be with you in your heart, and you will always be able to find your way back home because home is within you".
That night, Mo did not sleep well. He kept thinking about his own family. Uncle, he said in the morning. I would like to go back to my parents' nest. I am stronger now, and I can find my way. If it is too dangerous there, I will come back, but I need to see my parents again. He was expecting his uncle to say no and his aunt to give him a long list of reasons why he should stay with them, but instead, they looked at him lovingly. You have grown up so much nephew, began the uncle, and you are no longer the little pigeon whose fear and sadness prevented from flying high. The rooftop will be very different now, but the only thing that counts is the love of your family. Follow your heart, nephew and you will find your way home because pigeons can always find their way back to the ones they love. Mo said goodbye to his cousins and friends and started the long journey that would take him back to his nest.
It was almost night when Mo reached the rooftop where he used to live. He approached it very quietly in case the black birds were watching. His uncle had been right. Things were very different from the way he remembered them. The roof top was very dirty with stones, feathers, sticks and twigs scattered around. There was bird poop everywhere and three huge nests that could only belong to the black birds. He moved very slowly and quietly and suddenly he saw it! His parents' nest was still there, and there were three baby pigeons in it. The eggs his mother had laid just before he left had hatched. He had little brothers and a sister now! And there, there she was, just on the side of the nest, watching over the little ones, his mother! He looked at her for a moment. She was, even more, beautiful than in his memories. At this moment, Mo was so happy he felt like his heart was about to get out of his chest and fly away. Then he felt a gentle pressure on his back. The soft touch of a wing. The wing of his father. Welcome back son, welcome back! Things had changed a lot on the rooftop, but the family had found a way to cope and live peacefully with their new neighbours. Mo was really happy. His journey had been hard, but it made him stronger. Now was the time to meet his new siblings and in due time, he would tell all his adventures to his family.
EPILOGUE
With the first rays of the sun, the neighbourhood was unrecognisable. The old house was now just a shadow of herself. Nada and Sammy looked at the house with their eyes full of tears. The mother looked at them and very calmly caressed their cheek. In the meantime, neighbours had appeared all around them. Some people were simply curious, others were offering support. The mother put Leitifa in a neighbour's arms and went inside the house to assess the damages. It's not as bad as it looks, she declared as she came out. She pulled back the sleeves of her abaya, took her broom and started to sweep all the dirt, the concrete and the broken glass that was in the way. Sammy and Nada joined her and started to take the broken bricks away.
In the following days, the family worked courageously and with determination. Guided by the love they shared and that special feeling they had for the old house, they felt strong and united. Cousins, family, neighbours, everyone came together to help fix the old house. After a while, with so much love and so much hard work, the house was standing strong again, and the family was ready to move back in.
That night, the old house felt very happy. She was completely different of course, but she was once again able to shelter and protect the family she loved. Sammy and Nada were so happy to be back in their house that before they went to bed, they wished never to leave it again. The old house, who was not so old anymore, felt very proud, but the bombs had not damaged her wisdom and had taught her something important that she wanted to share with them. When the children fell asleep, the house talked to them in their dreams: "My dear children, it said, do not fear. You will both leave me one day, maybe to study, maybe to work, maybe to start your own family but I will never really leave you because my protection does not come from the bricks that hide you from the wind or from the roof that shelters you from the rain. Home is where your heart is, and protection comes from having people who love you. So as long as you will remember the love of your family, I will follow you, in your dreams, and make any house, your home".
In the morning when the children woke up, a beautiful surprise was waiting for them, they recognised the smell of bread and honey. Wow! They thought, excited. It had been so long since they had a real breakfast. As they ran to the kitchen, they stopped at the door. Their father was sitting at the table, holding their little sister in his arms, smiling at them, his eyes full of love. Instantly the children knew, that from now on, all would be well.
The mother observed the scene lovingly and remained silent for a moment to fix this image into her mind. She wanted to remember this forever. Good memories are like stories. She thought. When you close your eyes, and think about them, they can make you happy again.
