Friendship by Muntather Alsawad

MY STORY: English language learners from Portland Adult Education share their story in their own words. This month WEN is proud to present a short story by Muntather Alsawad,  a published author in Iraq. This is Muntather’s first publication in the U.S.

Friendship

by Muntather Alsawad

Someone calls me. I open my eyes, and send my ears to deep. The sound disappears. I return to bed, but this sound is coming back. I am up early, the sleeping like a lost time; so, I don’t sleep more. I get fresh milk, and walk with my dog. We sit on the stones for meditation by the river, and waiting the sound.

Whole my body pain me, but my soul is younger and funny. When the sun smile to me, I take care of the ewes. The soul sings to them. And dance on the rays of sun. Maybe my body takes a nap, then a sheep comes and wakes me. When that happens, I smile deeper. I spend a long time with my dearest friends – animals, plants and river. The friend is another heart inside the soul. So, the soul never older, staying young all the life.

Sometime I meet friend’s son. The friend was done before four years ago. He and I lived together all age. His son comes to me and listens to some advice, and stories about wise on the life, and our history. I tell him about the strange sound.

Muntather Alsawad

The life without friends is hell. The friends are hands and power in the world. Old people need friends, but more young people don’t like the older; so, they have good friendship with animals and plants –  substitute human.

In the photo, the men are happy because they talk with old friends about childhood memories, and more friends who went for other lives. They laugh – honest – telling short stories, for they live with nature.

Muntather Alsawad

Assignment for English class at Portland Adult Ed