The Kite Can Wait — An Illustrated Read-Aloud Story

Faris made a blue paper kite with three white stripes. He went with Dad to a wide, safe field and held it above his head. “I wish it would fly right now!” he said.

Faris ran a few short steps, but the kite tipped sideways and fell onto the grass. He tried again. Its tail twisted around the line. He looked at the leaves. They were almost still.

Faris sat beside Dad. “I asked Allah to make it fly. Why didn't it go up?” Dad said, “We ask Allah, and we do what we can. Let's see what the kite needs.” They checked the knot, untangled the tail and fixed the ribbon.

Dad held up a small piece of paper. It hardly moved. They stayed in the middle of the field, away from the road and tall posts. “The place is safe, but the wind is weak,” Dad said. “We can try another time.”

Faris picked up his kite. “I can wait, and I won't stop making du‘a.” The next afternoon, the leaves began to move. They returned to the field, and Dad helped Faris hold the reel.

They lifted the kite. It climbed a little, then higher, one moment after another. Faris laughed. “I can keep making du‘a, and I can keep doing the next thing I am able to do.”