Young Hero

Rania and Zeina came to their Dado and asked her to tell them a story. Dado said, “My stories are old: Kings, Jinns, magic, and miracles. And you kids like Tom & Jerry, Donald Duck, Frozen etcetera, which, I’m afraid, I don’t know.”

“No, no, we won’t ask you about them, please tell us your type of stories.” Rania and Zeina requested. So, Dado began her story.

Once upon a time, there was a village called Sukhi. People lived very happily there. They felt secure, had enough food and water, and lots of gardens for kids to play. The neighbors were kind to each other and kept their village very neat and clean.

One day, a Jinn was flying over the village of Sukhi, and he liked the place so much that he decided to stay there. He quickly transformed himself into a handsome young man – very tall, broad, and charming.

The only thing different about him was his very long beard. It was so long that it touched his feet. He rolled it up into a small ponytail and tied it under his chin. Then the Jinn, who looked like an ordinary man, except for his long beard, which he tucked under his chin with a ponytail, went to a rich landlord and bought his haveli.

Then, he started living there as a rich and kind merchant. Always smiled at the strangers, and greeted everyone. Everything was going fine, and nothing happened when one-day parents noticed that their kids went to the garden to play and did not return home.

Everyone got worried and they looked for the children everywhere and searched for them, but they were found nowhere. Everyone cried for their children. Parents kept on with the search and looked for them. But children were nowhere to be found.

Few days passed when again a few kids went to the garden to play and did not return. Again the parents went out with sticks and rods and swords to find their children. But again they were left clueless. The happy, peaceful village Sukhi turned into a place of gloom and grief where all the people were sad, looking for them in every nook, and every corner.

There was a very brave boy named Rajoo. He saw a White Fairy in his dream, who told him that the man with a ponytail under his beard is actually a Jinn and has imprisoned all the children in his haveli and the only person who could save them was Rajoo.

“But how can I.. I'm just a child. I’m only 10 years old” said Rajoo.

“Never mind if you are 10 years old. But you are brave and courageous and with courage, one can do anything!’ said the White Fairy “Besides, I will tell you the Jinn’s secret and how to kill him”

Rajoo added “Okay, I’m ready… Now tell me how to kill the jinn.” Fairy responded “All Jinns have their power preserved somewhere. His power lies in his beard. All you have to do is to chop his beard off, then he will get weak. But remember… do not tell this secret to anyone. You have to do this alone!”

The White Fairy disappeared and Rajoo woke up. It was very early in the morning. All the villagers were still asleep. Rajoo got out of his bed and without telling anyone he went into the garden. He hid a small scissor in the under pocket of his jacket. Jinn came to the garden as expected, picked up Rajoo, and took him to his Haveli. Rajoo saw other kids who were imprisoned in cages. Rajoo was brave, so he asked the Jinn, “Why have you imprisoned all your friends in these cages, what will you do with them?”

The Jinn replied “One by one I will boil them, make their soup. And then I will drink child-soup”

“Child soup…” Rajoo furiously replied, “you should be ashamed of yourself.”

“Why should I be ashamed of myself, this is the only thing I can drink. Now, before I pick up another child, I will pick you for this time, I’m pretty sure your soup will be the most delicious soup.”

So, the Jinn lit-up the fire and put the stove on, a big pot of water to boil, so that he could put Rajoo in it and make some soup for him. While the water was still boiling, Jinn took a quick nap.

Rajoo quietly came close to Jinn and chopped off Jinn’s beard and threw it in the fire. When the fire started burning his beard, Jinn woke up and realized his beard was gone. He started screaming. “My beard… My power is gone. NO!”

Then Rajoo and his friends saw that the Jinn got shorter and shorter. From 7 feet, he became 6 feet, then 5 feet, then 4… 3… 2… 1… and finally Jinn disappeared.

Rajoo released all the kids and they all went home. All the parents were happy to see their children back. They all cried with joy and hugged their children. Everyone sang, danced and exchanged sweets.

Rajoo was made their leader, as a leader’s job is always to save his people from the evil-doers, be strong, and to be able to manage hard tasks easily.

Although Rajoo was still young he became their leader, because of his courage and bravery, he saved the children from the clutches of the evil Jinn. Young Rajoo brought happiness and peace back to village Sukhi and they all live happily ever!