For the first function at the palace, Scott had invited Habibdul and Youssef to perform. The caravan supposed to trade coffee suffered a delay and had to come to the city to solve the problem of the baskets that would carry the grains. It gave the perfect chance for Scott to have his best friend singing his songs for his friends and family. The storyteller was Youssef a very old man that had learned great tales from his great-grandfather. He had a sweet smile and a voice that seemed to embrace your soul.
The main garden of the palace was radiant because of dozens of lanterns and candles and the small stage looked very exotic. Comfortable armchairs had been placed all around it.
When the artists appeared onstage everybody greeted them with applause and then there was a respectful silence.
Youssef started to say,
I will tell you the story that a hurt soldier told my great-grandfather while he was trying to mend his wounds. This is the story of the sultan of
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Chapter 39 – Garden feast
The Sheik Mohamed had doubled his guests for the second storytelling event due to the success of the first one. People were chatting happily and admiring the garden while the artists got ready. They wore colorful clothes that enhanced their act and as soon as they appeared the applause began. People then sat down and paid attention, first to Youssef´s words.“It is time for me to tell the story of Nazal, the man who cooked at the sultan´s palace. He made delicious dishes and heard many compliments about them. Even if he had received much help to prepare the food, he took the compliments all to himself.His wife often told him, “Don´t be a fool, you couldn´t have done all that by yourself.”“But the thing is, I did.”He didn´t mind lying about it because pride was taking the best of him.Nazal went as far as fishing for compliments and to accomplish that he sent the kitchen apprentice to as
Chapter 40 – The sisters´ tale
By now, a large group invited by the sheik attended the storytelling events. His best friends, authorities, and business partners that happened to be in town in the days of the feast. It is impressive how every tasteful people can appreciate a well-told story.And Youssef didn´t let them down when he told one of his great-grandpa´s favorite tales.“Today I will tell you a story I learned when I was only a child:There were once two sisters, Lalah and Leleeh who married two brothers and lived in neighbor houses.Leleeh´s husband liked to study and he spent most of his day reading books and papers. They were young when they met and Leleeh expected him to become a respected teacher someday. This idea made her feel superior to her sister and despise her since Lalah´s husband didn´t have patience for books and spent his time trading cheap merchandise such as old clocks or small vases.Being always outside and in movem
Chapter 41 – Last performance
And here were the guests gathered for the last performance of the series in the palace. Youssef waited for everybody to take a seat after the warm wave of applause and then he began.“I will now tell you the story of the camel merchant Selim. He worked very hard and had a good number of animals, around thirty. This allowed him to provide a good life for his wife and two sons. He was a talkative and happy man, so one day he was invited to have dinner at one of his customers’ house who was a wealthy man. There, Selim saw expensive objects and rugs made of exotic fabrics. The food was also sophisticated and the people at the house treated him well.But instead of leaving content from the pleasant event, he left with a burden on his shoulders because his spirit now desired those expensive material possessions.Selim decided he would do everything in his power to become rich. The first thing he did was double the number of animals he owned. Now, in order
Chapter 42 – Oasis
Omar told Bethany he had a surprise for her. It was a trip to the Al Maliq Oasis that he had planned to distract her from the departure of her mom.“An oasis? It sounds so romantic.”“I am glad that you think so, my love. It would take us two days to get there by horse. But the helicopter will take us there in just a few hours. What do you say we leave tomorrow and stay the rest of the week.”“I think it is wonderful. This way I will have time to pack. What do we take to an oasis?”He laughs heartedly and she finds herself in his arms all of a sudden. “Whatever you want, I guess.”“Omar, be serious. I have no idea what to expect.”“That is one reason for me to take you there. You will meet people who never lived in the city. They have a simple life but you will find them sincere and loyal. That land where the oasis is located belongs to my family for centuries. My mother loved
Chapter 43 – Pregnant princess
The same day of the couple´s return to the palace, Malouf had also arrived for one of his frequent visits.It caused such a distaste to Bethany that she almost asked Omar to take her back to the oasis. But then she decided to control her emotions and not to say anything. She knew that life was not made only of vacations and paradisiac places.During dinner, the sheik was happy to hear his son tell the news about the oasis and the nice people who lived there. Then his attention went to his brother-in-law and he wanted to know where Malouf had been for the last weeks.“I came from Australia.”“That is quite far. Were you on business or vacation?”“Vacation.”Oh, so the old goat was going to play the innocent. Bethany knew that, by now, his misfortune had already exploded in his face.He was careful in his choice of words and he kept looking at Bethany as if expecting some reaction that would pro
Chapter 44 – Khaleb is everywhere
Bethany was happy to have her brother often at the palace. Not only he was keeping one eye on her, but also he enjoyed discussing the progress of the wells projects. He had already installed five of them in different regions and people there were happy to have better access to water. The first one was launched with the presence of Sheik Mohamed himself.Unfortunately, Khaleb was also a constant presence in the palace. He was with them during meals or entertaining important guests. He followed the royal family to inaugurations and functions. He had opinions about everything and they were not always smart ones. His attitude didn´t seem to bother Sheik Mohammed or Omar but it was starting to give on Bethany´s nerves. When Malouf also joined them, it was common for Bethany to have migraines after she received so many looks of pure hate.Khaleb had told some sad stories to the sheik and asked to have a place as one of his counselors. His uncle couldn´t say
Chapter 45 - Sudden death
Their return to the palace was very well-received by the sheik. If Mohamed had missed his son in the past, now he made clear that he almost got sick when he parted from his grandson. He declared that Ben was the reason for his joy and the light of his life.Sheik Mohamed also made it very clear the length of his appreciation for his daughter-in-law and often he compared her beauty and wit to his late wife´s.They had become close friends and he offered his advice to Bethany in the same quantity as he asked for her opinions. This relationship made Omar very happy because these were the two people he most loved in the world. Except for Benjamin, who was the winner of everybody´s heart. Ben was number one for all of them, which only caused a stronger bond to take place.The night of their return there was a banquet for dinner, Omar and Bethany sat at each side of sheik Mohamed. That night, Khaleb was sitting beside Omar, across from Bethany.It w
Chapter 46 – The last threat
As the days went by a distance took place between Omar and Bethany. It was as if they couldn´t communicate with each other openly. Omar had a vast land of sorrow inside him caused by his mourning. He thought it best to spare his wife from the dark that called to him. And he closed up, even more, when he listened to his uncle telling him that he would never be a great leader like Mohamed if he let a woman interfere with the country´s affairs.It was shocking for Bethany to recognize how much Omar had changed in such a short time. One day, Malouf suggested the purchase of farms in New Zealand during lunch.“Please, I have asked you not to discuss business during meals.”“So, as a counselor, I can only talk to the sheik if you give permission, Bethany?”“That is not what I am saying.”“Time is pressing. I need to have Omar´s signature in order to beat the competitor who wants to buy the farms