A Gift for Baba

It was Baba's birthday, and Maryam wanted to give him the best gift in the world. But she had no money to buy anything.

She drew a picture of Baba holding her hand, with a big yellow sun above them. Then she thought, "What else can I give?"

She remembered that Baba always came home tired. So she tidied her toys without being asked. She put his slippers by the door. She poured him a glass of water when he came in.

When Baba saw the drawing, he laughed and hugged her. "This is the best gift I have ever had."

"There is one more gift," said Maryam. She raised her small hands and made the dua she had learned: "Rabbir-hamhuma kama rabbayani saghira — My Lord, have mercy on my parents as they raised me when I was small."

Baba's eyes filled with happy tears. "A dua from my daughter," he said softly. "No shop in the world sells anything better."