Secrets of Ramlat al-Sab'atayn

Chapter 1

Every member of the Ashada clan had a mark burnt onto them.This mark was situated on their wrists.It was the Seal of the Ashada clan.Bold and black,it could be seen a mile away.It was  a form of identification and pride.The Ashadans were good people -people who helped others in need but... only helped people from their own clan.Musafirs would be cast aside as if they were some sort of disease. He could be a dying person that could be saved by a mere drop of water but would the Ashadans care? Ofcourse not,unless they were paid or they thought that burying the corpse would be too disgraceful for them.

So you can already imagine how nerve-racking it was for Tasmiya, Mariam and Raysa just to buy milk and a loaf of bread.They were not from the Ashada clan.And faking the Seal was impossible.You can't exactly burn in a mark with intricate calligraphy with a scorching metal rod.There was always someone there to check if the mark would wipe away or not.So drawing on the mark would prove critical.

They would always have long-sleeves on, and bangles,...and bracelets and bands...ALOT of bands.But what difference would it make , they were still going to be found out.Although they had one solution.Not everyone in the clan had pride in them.An old man, age 81,was kind enough to give them a sense of belonging. Fortunetely, the guards would only check the wrist of one family member.

Faisal bin Abbas was an expert blacksmith,he lost his parents to war when he was a child.And lived alone ever since and he never wanted anyone else to have that feeling of having no-one to depend on when you didn't have a guide through life.The three girls came to Ramlat al-Sab'atayn looking for a place to stay, there was no other settlements in that desert so they had no other choice.Where they were from? They didn't know.Faisal bin Abbas knew that they were going to face more than rejection, they'd feel resentment.And so, he passed them off as his own granddaughters.

Not many people knew him but those who did, knows that he didn't have any relatives.The only solution was for the girls to live outside the settlement.So, they set up their own tent a little beyond the oasis.With a long distance to travel back , he gave them his most valuable assets - three marvellous horses.All he had left for himself was his aged donkey.He insisted that it was sufficient for him.Most of the other Bedouins had a herd of horses and camels.But these were the rich men living off haraam money.

He earned an honest living, the poorest but happiest man in the desert.Though even with the guilt in their hearts.Raysa, Mariam and Tasmiya felt their lives were just starting to look brighter.Not only did they find a home, but they found a grandfather.

**********************************************************

Translations :)

Musafir :Traveller

Haraam: Prohibated,unlawful

Ashada: very strong