The Loud Courtyard

Lina and her brother Tariq always hurry past the tall wall of Aunt Salma’s courtyard. The old woman’s voice booms over the alleys, and after one shouted scolding about a runaway ball, their friend Rami is sure she hates children. When her buckets spill at the crowded town well and her cries of “Children!” ring out, the boys run, and a small quarrel grows into a hard silence between them.

But Lina keeps noticing the heavy sacks, the bent back, and the way no one answers when the loud voice calls. With a whispered dua in the dark, she gathers her courage, knocks on the sun-bleached door, and discovers the real reason for the shouting. Soon, three young “strong legs” and one old “loud courtyard” begin walking together between well, stall, and fig tree—each trip a little lighter than the last.