Ahmeds dream

Ahmed lived in a sunny city next to the sea. He was the youngest of four siblings, and the biggest
troublemaker. He loved to hide and suddenly scare his mother when she least expected it. He also loved
chasing pigeons and climbing trees. He loved to go on walks with Mohammed, his oldest brother, who was
twelve years old and knew everything.
Some afternoons they walked to the seaport and they sat watching the boats come and go. They imagined
themselves aboard one of those huge ships, crossing the Mediterranean Sea, docking in other cities and other
countries.
Mohammed wanted to be a sailor, and Ahmed pictured him as a captain of a large boat, dressed in a blue suit
full
of
medals
and
ordering
everyone around. Ahmed also wanted to be a captain, but of his soccer team, because he was the best of all
the children who played in the narrow alley where they lived.
Ahmed didnt really like going to school. So when his mom made him stay home and not go outside, Ahmed
was happy. But he soon he became bored with being stuck at home day after day, listening to the noise of the
sirens and the yelling of the people. It was horrible.
Only his mom left the house occasionally, always to buy food for the family. When she arrived home, pale,
exhausted, and sad, Ahmed asked her if the constant noise that came from the sky had anything to do with it.
Theyre bombs Mohammed told him solemnly.
If theyre bombs, it must be a war, thought Ahmed.
Ahmed felt scared.
Were leaving, Mom announced one night.
Everyone silently gathered the few belongings that they wanted to bring with them, and left so early that the
sun hadnt even come up. The sun was just rising as they reached the seaport.
Were going on a boat! exclaimed Ahmed.
The whole seaport was full of families who, like them, wanted to go aboard the ship. Mohammed took his little
brother by the hand, and together they managed to board the ship with their family. Shortly afterward, the ship
launched.
Where are we going? Ahmed asked.
To a place where bombs dont fall from the sky, explained his brother.
Ahmed
breathed
deeply,
And wherever it is were going, can we play soccer in the street there? Ahmed asked.

relieved.

Of course!

Ahmed rested his head on his brothers shoulder and smiled happily. Before the city disappeared into the
horizon, Ahmed began to dream about the new place where there were no sirens or people yelling. And where,
of course, the children could play soccer in the street without worrying about anything.

EL SUEO DE AHMED
Ahmed viva en una ciudad soleada junto al mar . Era el menor de cuatro hermanos , y
el mayor elemento perturbador . A l le gustaba esconderse y de repente asustar a su
madre cuando menos se lo esperaba . Tambin le gustaba perseguir a las palomas y
trepar a los rboles . A l le gustaba ir a caminar con Mohammed , su hermano mayor,
que tena doce aos y lo saba todo.
Algunas tardes se dirigan al puerto y se sentaban viendo los barcos ir y venir . Se
imaginaban a s mismos a bordo de uno de esos enormes barcos , cruzando el Mar
Mediterrneo , atracando en otras ciudades y en otros pases.
Mohammed quera ser marino , y Ahmed lo imagin como un capitn de un barco
grande , vestido con un traje azul lleno de medallas y premios todos a su alrededor .
Ahmed tambin quera ser un capitn , sino de su equipo de ftbol, porque era el mejor
de todos los nios que jugaban en el estrecho callejn donde vivan.
Ahmed no le gustaba ir a la escuela . As que cuando su madre le hizo quedarse en
casa y no salir a la calle , Ahmed era feliz. Pero pronto se aburri de estar atrapado en
el da a da en casa , escuchando el ruido de las sirenas y los gritos de la gente . Fue
horrible.
Slo su madre sali de la casa de vez en cuando , siempre para comprar alimentos
para la familia . Cuando lleg a casa , plida , agotada , y triste , Ahmed le pregunt si
el ruido constante que viene del cielo tena algo que ver con ello .
"Son bombas " Mohammed le dijo solemnemente .
" Si son bombas , que debe ser una guerra", pens Ahmed .
Ahmed sinti miedo .
" Nos vamos , " mam anunci una noche .
Todos se reunieron en silencio las pocas pertenencias que queran llevar con ellos, y
dejaron tan temprano que el sol no haba llegado an . El sol acababa de salir cuando
llegaron al puerto .
"Vamos en un barco! " Exclam Ahmed .
Todo el puerto estaba lleno de familias que, como ellos , queran ir a bordo de la nave .
Mohammed llev a su hermano pequeo de la mano , y juntos lograron abordar el
barco con su familia . Poco despus, la nave puso en marcha .
" A dnde vamos ? ", Pregunt Ahmed .
" A un lugar donde las bombas no caen del cielo", explica su hermano .
Ahmed respir hondo , aliviado .
" Y donde quiera que sea que vamos , podemos jugar al ftbol en la calle hay ? ",
Pregunt Ahmed .
"Por supuesto!"
Ahmed apoy la cabeza en el hombro de su hermano y sonri feliz . Antes de la ciudad
desapareci en el horizonte , Ahmed comenz a soar con el nuevo lugar donde no
haba sirenas o gente gritando . Y donde , por supuesto , los nios podan jugar al
ftbol en la calle sin preocuparse de nada