Once Upon an Eid

by S.K. Ali

“Anytime you share something you love, it comes right back to you like a boomerang. You never lose it. Just wait and see.”

for years we have lived blindly under a government that is corrupt and evil. We have to open our eyes and look for a better future, even if we have to fight for it.”

Maya Madinah loved her aunt’s ease with silence and her deep listening. So many adults she knew only pretended to listen when in fact they were just waiting for her to pause so they could jump in and lecture her. She browsed her aunt’s bookshelves in the comfortable silence,

Aaaand i am crying

“We are made anew every day, beloved. And tasting sadness changes us,”

Joy and sorrow follow each other endlessly like moon phases, Maya Madinah. There are times of shining fullness and times of emptying out. Sometimes, before we can welcome joy in again, we need to acknowledge the sadness in our hearts—as you did so courageously tonight, my love,”

“Do you know that anatidaephobia is the fear that somewhere in the world, there is a duck watching you?

“You know what’s wild?! Having to listen to you recite stupid trivia on an eight-hour road trip! Quit it!”

“Right, who can name as many interesting things about chewing gum as they can think of?” Adam got in first! “It’s sticky and—” Noor cut him off. “Too easy! It’s the oldest candy in the world. Thousands of years ago, people chewed stuff that came out of plants. In prehistoric times, they chewed on stuff from trees. To clean their teeth and have nice breath. They probably needed it after all those wild animals they ate! Bubble gum was invented in 1906. Juicy Fruit and spearmint were really popular flavors and still are. Spearmint, peppermint, and cinnamon are the most popular in the world. Oh, and the first bubble gum color was pink!”