7 minute read
Jamila’s Habibi
By Sashini Manikandan
1: Hazar Turns Seven
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It was a very exciting day for Hazar — it was his most anticipated day of the year. It was even more special this year as it fell on the weekend — he was turning seven! He was daydreaming about his visit to Jad and Jada’s. His father prodded him awake and Hazar saw the tall buildings were replaced by huge sand dunes and the blurred silhouette of the mountains. Hazar lived in the city because both of his parents worked there and had found a good school for Hazar too. He was an only child and always longed for the week to end so that he could visit his grandparents. He enjoyed visiting
his grandparents in the desert village because he could soak in the golden sand, relish his Jada’s tasty and aromatic dishes and go dune bashing in his Jad’s jeep. And Hazar was pretty sure that there would be a load of surprises awaiting him. His birthday was one of the most magical days in Hazar’s life as he never knew what was waiting in store for him.
2: Birthday Surprise
The car stopped with a jerk. Hazar jumped down the car and excitedly screamed out, ‘JAD, JADA!’
His stomach started grumbling loudly as the smell of Jada’s cooking reached his sharp nose. After drenching him with warm hugs, welcomes and kisses, Jad and Jada happily wished Hazar a very blessed birthday. Jad told Hazar that there was a surprise waiting for him. Hazar was blindfolded and taken to his favourite place, the farm. There was the usual clucking, neighing and grumbling of animals. When he opened his eyes, he gave a loud cry of shock. In front of him was a cute baby camel, which had been born just an hour ago.
Hazar was delighted. Excitedly, he asked his Jad, ‘JAD! JAD! IS THIS FOR ME? CAN I NAME HER?? PLEASE!’
Jad was very happy that his grandson liked his birthday gift. He replied, ‘Yes Hazzee! You can have her and name her.’ And since she was very beautiful, Hazar named her JAMILA. Well, one might have thought it was magic but when Hazar called out to her, it seemed like she responded by turning her head and looking lovingly at him. Hazar gave Jamila a huge hug. Dad called out to Hazar for camel riding. Hazar asked his Jad whether he could ride Jamila that day. But to Hazar’s disappointment, his Jad had said no. He loaded his dad’s phone with photos of Jamila to show to his friends the next day. This birthday was made even more special than usual by his new bestie, Jamila.
3: The Long-Awaited Ride
The next day in school, it was Jamila’s story which was heard in every class. Hazar couldn’t resist telling it again and again. His friend Ahmed was as excited as Hazar about Jamila. Even during
break many boys swarmed to him in groups of four to see photos of Jamila and to hear about Hazar’s new bestie. He specially made a collar with her name engraved on it for her.
After a few visits, he saw Jamila had grown considerably and Hazar was eager in tying the engraved collar on her. Jad and Jada were pleased to see the special bonding of Hazar and Jamila. Jad told Hazar to ride his camel. Hazar couldn’t wait to try it out. Jamila took him on a ride across the huge sand dunes. He felt the loving bond with Jamila during the ride. Moving up and down and side to side, with the orange shade of sand around with the ship of the desert on a lovely warm evening. What could be better for a seven-year-old boy?
4: Change in Hazar
shout turned sad and questioning when he saw Jad was missing. Hazar insisted his dad take him to the farm. But Jad was not in the farm either. He saw old Umar, the farmhand, who told them
that Jamila suddenly fell unconscious and Jad had taken Jamila to the vet. Hazar and his dad rushed to the vet. Hazar ran in with tearful eyes.
He asked the vet, ‘WHAT HAPPENED TO JAMILA?’ The vet told him that she had swallowed a plastic bag left by picnickers. He had taken an X-ray of Jamila’s throat and treated her. Hazar, with eyes full of sorrow, anxiously asked him, ‘Will my Jamila be all right?’ The vet reassured him that Jamila would be fine after he performed a small surgery on her throat. Hazar was deeply worried and asked his dad to allow him to stay with Jad and Jada to take care of Jamila. His father said yes. Jamila was admitted to the hospital immediately and the vet performed the surgery on Jamila’s throat. Hazar had a sleepless night and he had wet his pillow with his tears worrying about Jamila. His grandparents silently crept into his room and took pity on this kind little boy who took care of the animal most connected to the land’s traditions.
His Jad whispered silently to his wife, ‘His parents have named him correctly as Hazar — he is very careful and caring about nature
and shows a lot of affection to animals.’
‘True,’ said his wife.
Hazar stayed with his Jad and Jada for two days. He took his piggy bank with him the next weekend. And in tears, he ran to the farm to see Jamila walking to him with his special gift, the engraved collar, on her neck. He hugged her with tears of joy. He saw the vet doing a check-up on Jamila. Hazar gave his piggy bank to the vet, saying ‘THANK YOU!’
The vet said he didn’t need Hazar’s money,
saying instead, ‘Avoid using plastic bags, and if you use one you should dispose of the bag properly.’ The vet added that Hazar should create awareness about this issue and encourage others to change, as plastic is not eco-friendly. Many animals are affected by plastic thrown away in the water and the desert.
Hazar understood and solemnly promised the doctor that he would do whatever he could to save as many animals as possible. Then Hazar immediately ran and hugged Jamila and told her, ‘Sorry, my dear Jamila. I will not use plastic bags from now on.’ He touched her
head with his caring hands and Jamila could feel the warmth.
5: Small Boy, Huge Change
The next day in school, there was a noticeable change in Hazar’s activity. He was talking about avoiding plastic bags and how it is dangerous for the animals in the desert and water if not disposed of properly. He spoke to his close friends about Jamila’s suffering and pain.
He promised his friends a trip to his desert vil-
lage to visit Jamila if they promised to use reusable bags and bottles. Everyone started showing interest in Hazar’s initiative. His friends started a group called Hifz Al Jamal to reduce plastic bag usage and recycle plastic. Slowly their teacher noticed a change in the students and encouraged the children’s activity, and the school started noticing Hazar’s work for the environment.
He started to give reusable metal bottles and reusable cloth bags to all who recycled plastic. His parents also replaced plastic housewares at home with reusable ones and encouraged their neighbours to do the same.
Hazar made it his goal to spread awareness on plastic bags to the supermarket and grocery stores in his neighbourhood. He supported this initiative by giving handicraft bags made by local craftsmen to the supermarkets.
Hazar’s Jad and Jada helped him with the supply of locally made bags from the local craft centre, thereby helping the poor local craftsmen to benefit as well as preserving the dying local crafts. He and his friends started an NGO to save camels and created a logo for it, designed to be
given to young environmentalists as a gift. Many of his friends were proud to carry it on their chest. There was a lot of change around Hazar, where his surroundings became environment-friendly and he was sweetly called ‘JAMILA’S HABIBI’.
