Grandma Imtithal and Tales of Proverbs

Grandma Imtithal and the Stories Behind Proverbs

"Every book has a story, and this one's begins and ends with Grandma Imtithal. She is not only my grandmother, but grandmother to every child in the neighbourhood: the first to live here, plant trees, dig a well, bake cakes, paint a moon on the walls: and gather us for stories.

'Our dear Grandma,' we call her. 'My Damask roses,' she replies, with her cheerful face, clear smile, gentle voice and arms always open.

Her home is unlike any other. Its pink door is always open, its golden roof resembles the sun, its marble floor never tires of carrying us, and its little rooms hold us all, however many arrive. Garden trees shade us in summer, the stone fireplace warms us on winter nights, and the great wooden bookcase seems scented with love, peace and wisdom.

Hardly a day passes without us hurrying there. We call, she answers; we ask permission and enter. Cakes fill our stomachs, but our minds still long for her stories. She tells them so well that time disappears, reminding us of the long, bright Arab tradition of storytelling."