Chapter 43

Uncle Mahmoud got up and sent Uncle Saeed to buy a cow, slaughter it, and distribute its meat throughout the street. Happiness spread over everyone, as if they had succeeded with it, and its superiority belonged to all of them. Adham and Zakaria distributed soft drinks and sweets to the people of the area where the workshop was located, and to the cars passing by on the road, cheering with one voice.

“Our sister took second place in the state.”

On the same day, the office of the Minister of Education called and congratulated Rima and invited her to a ceremony honoring the top performers on the day of (.......). The girls danced happily and agreed to go buy new clothes for Rima so that she could go with them to that celebration and the television interview, but she insisted. Their presence with her, and with them Adham and Zakaria, saying

“If you four don’t come with me, I won’t go.”

Uncle Mahmoud replied, “They can attend the television interview, but the min