The LAZY LAND
A bilingual English-Persian
Short story
For children
EbrahimAbedi
Illustrator: PARISA RAMEZANI HOUSHMAND
INTRODUCTION
Written by EbrahimAbedi, Iranian poet, writer and translator, this storywas especially tailored to the needs of children and early teens. The storyis short and particularly absorbing for those children and teens who would like to read and enjoy stories in the two different languages of English and Persian. It could help the students and learners of both languages to gradually know about the culture and customs of the other language through their favorite channel of literature.
All my writings including my adult poems or stories, children poems and stories follow a special objective, which is my wish for a global peace and fraternity with highest stability.
The bees in the red land
It was one of those busiest days and everybody rushed out of home early in the morning to bring home some foodstuffs. The war was very close and enemies were lurking behind any corner. You couldn't go too far alone and it was their old trick to join the crowd and find food in groups. Lazibie was the only one who never used to leave home that early and his heavy head never allowed him to rise on time.
The queen, who used to sleep so late that sunlight bothered her royal shiny eyes, was badly awake that morning. It was the violent dream of the night, it seemed, that made her get dressed at dawn, leave the escort team behind and have a look around the castle to see what is up. Everywhere was so quietthat you could here a pin drop. The workers had already left the house to work. The rooms were all clean and utterly in order. She stepped forward to have an eye on each. Empty rooms looked a little bit scary and it was terrible to be solitary here in the large castle, she thought.
She found herself feeling fearful at first but suddenly remembered to be the only queen of the land and found her feet. To break the dead silence of the dark castle, she decided to sing a song slowly. It was quite helpful to keep her calm. Gradually she turned up her voice and the delicately royal song mirrored throughout the rooms one by one…….
They call me the highly queen
Butseek a way to keep me in
In the dark and dead night
I am afraid of any sight
Look me look me in the eyes
I'm sleeping when you rise
It's so bad to be alone
Just sleep to get grown
I'm the queen I am queen
What is queen without king?!
I need him in war and peace
To give me a hug and kiss
Though they may say it is late
I look to find a nice mate……
No sooner had she finished singing that noticed a shade right at her back.
"Who are you, for God's sake?" she asked in sheer fear. "Don't come nearer ", she continued with shivering voice. Then she remembered again to be the queen and tried to be in control.
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