We are One! A LOVELY MORAL STORY via IiWords by Zeneefa Zaneer Bilal gathered his bat and ball saying good bye to his friends. He was tired and thirsty. If he could he would empty one whole bottle of water. But he couldn't. He was fasting. When he was passing the bakers, the smell of baking breads tempted him. Little Bilal shook his head and quickly pulled his legs. Old man Jair's raw fruit trolley was surrounded by little children like Bilal. Remembering the taste of raw mango achar, watered his mouth. He desperately wanted to buy something now. The ten rupee note his mother gave was still there with him. But he couldn't make his mind to walk close to jair's trolley. His mother doesn't like him to eat things sold out in the street. He couldn't cheat his mother. I'm fasting, how can I disobey mom? His little thoughts questioned. So he kept walking. When he was near his home he saw a woman and a boy smaller to him. The bony structure was dressed with a baggy shirt and a trouser. "Oh it's you Ahmed!" Bill said happily. 'You are not coming to the madrasa now' while opening the gate for them Bilal asked. Ahmed looked at his mother and Ahmed's mother smiled innocently. "He’s helping me little master" Bilal grinned hearing her. Why does everyone call him so? Because of the big house they've got or because of the only car in the village? While Bilal entered the house through the front door Ahmed and his mother walked to the back yard. Bilal frowned yet he walked to the washroom and had a bath, cleaned himself and dressed with a washed, ironed and neatly folded dress. Suddenly he remembered Ahmed with his shirt twice bigger than his bony structure and the altered pants made Bilal to stare at his clothes once again. He bit his lips and before his little mind thought and planned something further he heard his mother's call. It is time for ifthar, breakfast. As usual the dining table was arranged with many items of short eats. Little Bilal's mouth watered. Suddenly he felt hungry. It has been a very long day. Every one was waiting for the Azan. He saw his little sister was greedily staring at her served plate. Bilal smiled. He heard some whisperings in the kitchen. "Is Ahmed still there?" He asked his mother who was busy pouring porridge into small bowls. "Of course they are there, who else is going to wash the dishes?" His grandma said instead. Bilal looked at her once and then looked at his mother again. "Can I call Ahmed to join us mom" he asked ignoring his grandma's stare. “they are comfortable there" that was his mother. "Can I join him then?" he asked again. Both his mother's and grandma's expressions were the same. "Have gone crazy? They are slaves you must not mingle with them" grandma said. "But he's my best friend! He helps me at the madrasa. I missed him mom... He didn't come to the madrasa all these days" Bilal said worryingly. "He’s going with his mother to get zakathul fithr door by door. Poor salma, she can't carry them back alone" a little worry was in his mother's voice. "I tell you, she's silly to take along that pup, he's a worthless boy look at him skinny and weak" his grandmother said while watching at the TV. Bilal frowned. "he's the best in madrasa. He knows many surahs by heart. I wish I was him" bilal said. Grandmother looked at him disbelievingly, like she heard something really bad. Ignoring her Bilal once again looked at his mother. Now she was peacefully sat on her chair ready for the breakfast. "can I call him mom, when I went to their home they gave me the best chair to sit" "that is the only chair they have and how can they don't give their best to you? After all you are son of the Ameer of this village." Grandmother said proudly. Although Bilal's father was not a king his grandmother thought so proudly for he was the richest in the village. Everyone comes to their doorstep for help. At that time before few seconds for Azan Bilal's dad came home. He quickly joined them to breakfast. Soon after Azan was heard Bilal bit a piece of date and emptied a glass of water. "Dad can I call Ahmed to join us? Bilal this time asked his dad. "What is wrong with you Bilal. How many times should I tell you no. Let that boy have his breakfast peacefully at where he is right now" his mother said again not wanting to bother her husband and not allowing her mother in law to begin another lecture. But Bilal's father smiled positively. "Of course you can Bilal. Call your friend to join us" he said and bilal felt happy. He smiled joyfully and ran to the kitchen. Within few seconds he appeared along with his friend. Ahmed shyly refused but Bilal not giving up was pulling by his hand. "Hanifa are you mad to let the filth stay with us?" " mother, they are children. That is what Bilal wants. Just let him be happy" His father said in a calmed voice. Bilal gave his seat for Ahmed which was right next to his grandmother. "How dare you sit with me?" she shrieked with anger. She pushed Ahmed by his shoulder and almost spilled a glass of water. Bilal saw Ahmed’s eyes shining with tears. “mother, don't be mean!" Bilal's father said being disappointed. "Look at him...are you telling me to sit with this dirty boy? He's a slave "grandma...how can you be like that? I don't see any difference. His skin is black and mine too. He fasted so did I. You are mean like awitch! Dad... If ramadhan is for everyone, if prayers are for everyone and if Allah is our God why does grandma say we are different? Bilal asked being puzzled. His little voice was fury. His dad looked at Bilal's mother who was touched by what her son just asked "alhamdulillah! You are right my son. Ahmed come here son," Hearing her son, grandmother got up angrily and walked out the dining room. Bilal's mother sighed looking at grandma's untouched porridge and the meal. "Forgive grandma for she is very old now. You are not a slave of anyone but Allah's. Bilal I'm happy to see what you said today. Be good friends always inshaAllah...but remember not to hurt the elders too. You are right but you've hurt her. Now will you be good to carry that plate to grandma..? You too can help your friend Ahmed" Both boys shook their heads and carried the Plate. "I'm sorry grandma...will you forgive me? Bilal asked. His grandmother turned her back to them. Both the boys walked close to her. "I'm sorry for hurting you grandma please have your meal or you will become sick. If you become sick I won’t have anyone to quarrel with because I love you! Hearing Bilal his grandmother wept. It has been sometime someone said those words to her. Everyone was too busy in everything; she smiled to herself and turned to see the boys. "It is alright my sweetheart...I'm sorry too son, will you forgive this old woman Ahmed? I'm very old now that my memory is not good. Both of you reminded me my old lessons. I'm sorry for calling you like that little one...oh my! Two of your sized can get into this...er wait let's see what this granny can do for this... She was staring at Ahmed pulling his shirt this way and that way. "hmm... She walked to her cupboard, opened and grabbed a small wrapped parcel. "Here son, I kept this for your friend Bilal for his eid... But I don't think he will mind if I give this to you" She smiled at both and gave the parcel to Ahmed. "jazakAllah Ahmed said being shy. "there was an ameer who was named as Ahmed who lived as a poor and there was a slave called Bilal too who was treated as a king...there are many many stories about them...but I read and then forgot...jazakAllah for reminding those stories back Bilal...Ahmed" She patted their shoulders while letting her tears roll down. "Now run back and have your feast...you boys need to fill your stomach with tasty food...after all it was a long day!" Feel FREE TO SHARE/TAG