Book details
Fatima the Spinner and the Tent: English-Dari Edition (Teaching Stories)
Description
(Bilingual English-Dari edition) Fatima is a young woman whose life seems beset by one disaster after another. Setting forth on a journey from her home in the West, she is shipwrecked and cast ashore alone near Alexandria, Egypt. Adopted by a local family of weavers, and beginning to prosper in her new life, she is captured and forced to work making masts for ships. While undertaking a journey to sell the masts, she finds herself shipwrecked once again - this time off the coast of China, where she finally realizes that what seemed to be disasters were really essential steps toward her eventual fulfillment. Full of wisdom and depth, and ideal as a bedtime story, Fatima's tale helps children understand the need for perseverance to reach their goals. This traditional teaching story is well known in Greek folklore, but the present version is attributed to Sheikh Mohamed Jamaludin of Adrianople (modern-day Edirne in Turkey), who died in 1750. Fatima the Spinner and the Tent is filled with wonderful illustrations by Natasha Delmar, who was taught to paint by her father, the celebrated classic Chinese painter Ng Yi-Ching. Delmar captures Fatima's adventures with a wealth of detail and color and, using Middle Eastern and Chinese design, transports readers to the exotic lands of Fatima's travels in a way delightful to both young and old.
Age
5-12
Text complexity
intermediate
Length
38 pages
Book in series
#3
Why to read
- Idries Shah's stories are known for their teaching qualities, imparting wisdom and moral lessons that are valuable for readers of all ages. 'Fatima the Spinner and the Tent' is no exception, providing timeless lessons on resilience, adaptability, and the unfolding of one's destiny.
- Reading 'Fatima the Spinner and the Tent' provides a unique opportunity to gain insight into the rich cultural heritage and storytelling traditions of the Middle East and Central Asia, as Idries Shah was a prominent author in bringing Sufi and Eastern folklore to Western audiences.
- The English-Dari edition of this book serves as an excellent resource for those interested in learning Dari (the Afghan dialect of Persian), as well as for Dari speakers who wish to improve their English skills, offering a side-by-side comparison that can enhance language acquisition.
- The book is a fine example of Idries Shah's ability to weave narrative and teaching into a seamless story. Readers who appreciate literature and storytelling will find enjoyment in the narrative structure, character development, and the way the story conveys profound truths in a simple and accessible manner.