A Gift Without a Name — An Illustrated Read-Aloud Story
A picture story to read together, for ages three to five.
Salma kept her thank-you cards in a little box.
A yellow card for putting books away. A blue card for gathering up blocks.
She gave the box a shake. “I want a green one too!”
That evening, Salma was drawing a garden.
Hana called from the sofa. “I’m cold. Where’s my blanket?”
The green blanket was on the chair beside Salma.
Salma reached for the blanket. Then she stopped.
“Have you got a thank-you card?”
Hana felt in her pocket and pulled out a tissue. “I’ve got this!”
Salma laughed, but left the blanket on the chair.
“I know you enjoy your cards,” Mum said. “Hana needs her blanket now.”
“What if I help without getting a card?” Salma asked.
“Then you’ll have helped her,” Mum said. “And Allah knows the good you do.”
Salma picked up the blanket. One end trailed behind her.
“Here you are! One very long blanket!”
Hana held one corner while Salma spread the other over her feet.
“Thank you,” said Hana. Salma went back to her drawing.
Hana’s book slipped onto the floor.
Salma picked it up and put it beside her.
She did not call anyone over, and she did not search for a card.
With her green pencil, she drew an enormous tree.
The blanket and book were just where Hana needed them.
This is an original fictional story, not an account of a historical event.