Hamda and Fisaikra (English)

Kaltham Alghanim

Description

This Cinderella story is known across the world in many versions. The tale of Hamda, or the Gulf Cinderella, takes place at the edge of the sea, where the magical Fisaikra fish comes to the rescue of poor Hamda, and brings her together with a charming prince. Available in Arabic and English editions, this is a perfect book  for all parents and educators looking for children’s books on the culture of the Arabian Gulf.

Sujets

• Fiction Jeunesse

Informations

• Publié par: Hamad Bin Khalifa University Press
• Date de parution: 08 juin 2020
• Nombre de lectures: 27
• EAN13: 9789992178874
• Langue: English
• Poids de l'ouvrage: 6 Mo

Extrait

First published in English in 2011

Hamad bin Khalifa University Press

P O Box 5825

Doha, Qatar

www.hbkupress.com

Text copyright © Qatar Marine Festival Organising Committee 2011 

Illustrations copyright © May Al-Mannai 2011 

All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system, without prior permission in writing from the publishers.

No responsibility for loss caused to any individual or organization acting on or refraining from action as a result of the material in this publication can be accepted by HBKU Press or the author.

ISBN: 9789992178874 























































































I n a faraway village, on a shore of golden sand, there lived a fisherman in a very simple house. The fisherman had a wife and three daughters. The oldest was 
 called Hamda. 

Every morning the fisherman woke up early to the call of a cockerel. After performing his dawn prayer he would take his net and set out in his boat. Far from the shore, the fisherman would throw out his net and wait for whatever God would provide from the riches of the sea.








The fisherman’s work was extremely hard beneath the burning sun, but he was always happy when he pulled in his net at the end of the long day and found it full of fish. For there on the shore would be Hamda, waiting to help him carry the fish to the house.






Hamda’s mother had died when she was very young, and the fisherman had married again. Hamda’s stepmother made Hamda work hard. 

One day when Hamda returned to the house carrying the basket of fish her stepmother began counting the catch. “There are seven fish. Go and clean them in the sea and cook them for our lunch. Be very careful when you’re washing them, especially this enormous fisaikra.”






As Hamda was making her way to the sea, she felt the basket shake. She saw that the beautiful silver fish was jumping around in the basket, and she realised that it was still very much alive.

Then Fisaikra spoke, “Hamda, set me free. Please set me free!”

Hamda jumped back. “You can talk?” she exclaimed.

“Yes, Hamda,” replied Fisaikra in a fading voice. “I can talk. Return me to the sea, God bless you. I cannot survive much longer here. I can only breathe in the water. Help me, I beg you, before it is too late.”