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THE SHORT STORIES OF ZAKARIA TAMER Stars Do Not Talk to Kings Once upon a time, there lived an elderly king who loved stars because they resembled the pearls hidden away in his cabinets. But Layla, Layla was a little girl who loved stars because every night they told her the most beautiful stories. One night, Layla said to a star: “Tell me a story.” The star said: “I’m tired. You tell me a story, and if it impresses me, then I will tell you a story like none you have ever heard.” Layla said: “Agreed. I will tell you a short story.” Layla’s Story Once upon a time, a little boy wanted to become king. He asked his mother: “How can I become king?” 164 BANIPAL 53 – SUMMER 2015
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13 STORIES FOR CHILDREN His mother said: “Your father must be a king or be rich.” The boy realized that he would never have his wish. He would not become king, so he became sad. His little heart could not bear the sorrow, so he became sick. But he got better after a few days and went back to playing with his friends. The Star’s Story Once upon a time there lived an elderly king. One day he looked into the mirror and saw a man with a bent back and wrinkled face, and he was terrified. He rushed to summon the wise men of his kingdom. He asked them to invent a medicine that would restore him to a small child. The wise men told him that it was an impossible task. The king fell into a stupor. His old heart could not bear the sorrow, so he became sick, but he did not get better. For the rest of his years, he lay on his back and never left his bed. The Ending When the star finished speaking, Layla asked it: “Don’t stars talk to kings?” The star said: “Stars only talk to children.” Then Layla fell into a happy sleep. She saw in her sleep men who told her: “We want to make you queen.” Layla refused to become queen because she wanted to stay a little girl, someone to whom the stars would tell the most beautiful of stories. BANIPAL 53 – SUMMER 2015 165

THE SHORT STORIES OF ZAKARIA TAMER

Stars Do Not Talk to Kings

Once upon a time, there lived an elderly king who loved stars because they resembled the pearls hidden away in his cabinets. But Layla, Layla was a little girl who loved stars because every night they told her the most beautiful stories. One night, Layla said to a star: “Tell me a story.”

The star said: “I’m tired. You tell me a story, and if it impresses me, then I will tell you a story like none you have ever heard.”

Layla said: “Agreed. I will tell you a short story.”

Layla’s Story Once upon a time, a little boy wanted to become king. He asked his mother: “How can I become king?”

164 BANIPAL 53 – SUMMER 2015

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