The Little Family It was another sunny day. Mahmoud was done with another tiring day at the factory. He trudged back home to a weary mother, drunk father and loving little siblings. ‘Assalamualaikum!’ said his mother as he entered their shack. ‘Walaikumassalam.’ He said smiling at everyone inside cheerfully. ‘Mother,’ where’s father?’ he asked noticing his father missing from his usual place on their only bed.’ His mother sadly sighed.’ His friends called again, he’s gone out with them. I tried to stop him and he lashed out at me.’ Mahmoud’s eyes blazed angrily as he sat down to eat their frugal dinner. ‘His father had always been a drunkard and would often go out with his friends, if he had been an earning member, Mahmoud would be able to receive proper education like other boys. After dinner, Mahmoud sat with his little brothers as his mother tried to teach them the Holy Quran. They then prayed Isha together and went to bed. Their father would usually come late at home and they were quite used to it. That night, Mahmoud was woken up by little harsh whispers coming from the entrance of his hut. ‘Thieves?’ He thought scared. ‘No, there’s nothing to steal here. He pricked his ears trying to listen to the two men. ‘You sure this’ll be safe?’ A rough voice asked. ‘Oh yes, it’ll be fine! After all, it’s only till Tuesday’ A strangely familiar voice assured him. ‘After this, Mahmoud heard a lot of scraping and digging. In half an hour, the two men bade each other farewell in hushed whispers. Mahmoud craned his neck to see where they left. One of the men went inside the hut! Mahmoud’s heart nearly leapt into his mouth. The man got into his father’s bed, gave a grunt, and settled down to sleep. Mahmoud realised the man was no other than his father. ‘What did they bury? Why did they bury it? What is happening on Tuesday?’ thoughts raced into his head as he drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Mahmoud left for the factory early as usual, the factory was an hour’s walk away and Mahmoud couldn’t afford a bus to take him. He saw the sunrise in his walk, saw birds chirping, it was a most lovely day! He had almost reached the factory when he saw a huge commotion outside the jewellers shop. Mahmoud loved a bit of entertainment so he joined the crowd. ‘Assalamualikum!’ a teenaged voice greeted him. Mahmoud turned to the greeter; it was Bilal, a friend of his who also worked at the factory. ‘Walaikumasalam, Bilal, whatever has been happening over here?’ ‘Oh, someone broke in the jewellers shop and stole a recent shipping of valuable ornaments last night.’ A thought suddenly struck Mahmoud. ‘Could his father and his friends be responsible for this?’ ‘No,’ he told himself, ‘my father is a drunkard, but, not a thief!’ Even though Mahmoud tried to convince himself his father was innocent, his sense of conscience wouldn’t. He got scolded for daydreaming. ‘Yo, Mahmoud, everything okay brother?’ his friend Luqman asked him.’ ‘Yes,’ Mahmoud replied, dazed. ‘I’m worried about something, that’s all.’ After the day was over, Mahmoud rushed home. ‘Perhaps,’ he thought, ‘I might get back home before mother arrives from the madam’s house.’ Mahmoud’s mother worked at a kind old ladies house. The woman was very caring and was paying for his little brother and sister’s school education. She also paid for Mahmoud’s books, which he would study at night time after coming from the factory. Mahmoud ran like the wind and finally reached home panting. His father was out with his friends. Panting, Mahmoud gulped down a glass of water and then without waiting, he started digging where he saw the two men last night. He took a longer time with only his bare hands. In about 20 minutes, his hands struck something hard. Mahmoud poured water over the floor trying to make it wet and loose. He dug around for 10 minutes and then finally pulled out a mini-sized chest! With his hands trembling and heart thumping against his chest, he slowly undid the latches. He opened the box. What he saw made his eyes bulge, and sweat began to trickle down his head. He saw the gold jewels which had been stolen! ‘This can’t be true! Father can’t do this.’ He kept telling himself. But, he knew it was the fact, his father was a thief! Suddenly, he heard his mother and siblings. They were approaching the hut! He quickly filled up the hole, forgetting the chest. He ran out to welcome his mother. ‘Assalualaikum!’ he said and picked his sister up, kissing her. ‘You’re home early today, son!’ his mother said pleased. ‘Yes mother, they let me off early today.’ Mahmouds brother who had ran into the hut let out an exclamation! ‘What is this little box?’ Upon hearing this, Mahmoud ran inside. He saw the little chest he had forgotten to bury and let a little groan. He snatched the box and hid it in his school bag. ‘Well, since you’re early today, I would like to recite a few ahadith from this book the madam lent me.’ Mahmouds mother said, happily. In a few minutes, the children and mother were sitting down and Mahmouds mother opened the book. Mahmoud wasn’t paying any attention to what she said. He was still worrying about his father. “Truthfulness leads to righteousness, and righteousness leads to Paradise. In addition, a man keeps on telling the truth until he becomes a truthful person. Falsehood leads to wickedness and evil-doing, and wickedness leads to the (Hell) Fire, and a man may keep on telling lies till he is written before God, as a liar”. His mother’s voice echoed into his thoughts. ‘That’s it for now, children, I have to make food.’ To be continued!