Zainab's Writings

Some sounds are beautiful. They relax you and make you happy. My favorite sounds are natural sounds, especially that of birds chirping merrily at dawn and by sunset. They seem so calm, engaging, and peaceful!  Sometimes their chirping seems jolly while sometimes the birdsong feels sad. But it is always wonderful. When I hear a bird chirping, it piques my curiosity and interests me a lot. I just cannot resist the temptation to follow that sound and search for the little bird which is creating that sound. When a bird chirps, I feel it is like an invitation for me to explore the world. I also admire the soft rustling sound of the sea. The beautiful atmosphere and the quiet, hushed sound of the calm sea seem mysterious too. Yet it is soothing, a perfect lullaby that will make you sleep if you drop into a deck chair. The faint and delicate sound of the sea splashing on the golden sands seems meaningful, too. At times the sound seems inviting, while sometimes it feels unwelcoming. I...

Before I begin let me tell you that this was an O level's topic, and all the characteristics of me, my mom and my house are completely  and totally  fictitious. Enjoy! It was a pleasant Sunday Morning, and as usual, I woke up late. Brushing hair out of my eyes, I went downstairs for breakfast to find my mother all dressed up, swinging a huge purse in her arms. Eyeing me, she smiled broadly, greeting me good morning. Then she pointed towards the egg and toast on the table, and said, “Hurry up, beta, we have to go to the market today.” I groaned. It was a beautiful morning, and I wanted to spend it lounging about at home. Nonetheless, I obeyed. I picked aimlessly at the breakfast and slurped up most of the milk. Then I went upstairs to change. Pretty soon, I was ready for the shopping trip. I stepped down the stairs to find my mother waiting for me. She rattled the bunch of keys in her hand impatiently, and I accompanied her to the car. Once in the car, I asked my mot...

"Time is like footsteps. Once here, never again, leaving traces behind" ~Zainab Salman

If I had a room of my own that I could decorate as I wished, it would be pretty different than the rest of the rooms of the house. I would paint the ceiling a clear sky blue. The fan’s wings would be painted red, yellow, and blue, in bright oil paints, so when the fan would be switched on, would become a blur of colors. I would paint one of the walls a sweet purple with big silver polkas. Above it I would print in block letters, ‘My Art Gallery’. I would hang there, framed, the best of my sketches, paintings, drawings, and canvases. My bed would be a big double bed, because I would often invite my friends to spend a night with me. It would have a supple mattress and plump pillows for comfortable sleep. I would buy plain sheets and pillowcases and would decorate them beautifully with fabric markers.The side walls would have big windows to make the room light and airy. I would hang on them pretty chic blinds. My closet would be small and compact, containing a few simple dresse...

Title: The Number Devil Author: Hans Magnus Enzensberger Illustrator: Rotraut Susanne Berner Translated by: Michael Henry Hein Pubisher: Granta Books First Published: 1997, in German ISBN: 978-1-84708-0530 Robert is a twelve year old boy who hates Maths. One night he meets the Number devil in a dream, who changes his perception about Maths. Each night, Robert meets The Number Devil who shows him that there is more to Mathematics than he thinks. He shows him lots of Math Tricks and theories. He teaches him lots of Math concepts including Fractions, decimals, division, squares, cubes, and their roots, Prime Numbers (and the sieve of Eratosthenes) Fibonacci Numbers, Combinations, Imaginary Numbers, and factorials, in a charming way, all with interesting examples and witty stories. Very soon, Robert and the Number Devil become friends. Robert looks forward to meet the Number Devil every night. The Number Devil shows him what numbers are, how important they are a...