Arabic Stories for Language Learners – In Arabic and English / قصص عربية لمتعلمي اللغة – باللغتين العربية والإنجليزية

This book contains short Arabic stories that were told both orally and in writing through the ages from the pre-Islamic period (Aljahiliyya) until the 15th century.

The stories have been selected from a wide variety of classical literary sources (printed during the 20th century) such as Qisas Al’arab by Muhammad Abu-lfadl Ibrahim, Almustajaad min fi’lati-l’ajwaad by Almuhsin Bin Ali Attanukhi, Tara’if min Alturaath Al’arabi by Abd Al’amir Bin Ali Muhanna, Nawader Goha Alkubra by Khalil Hana Tadrus, Albayan Wattabyin by Aljahiz, Al’iqdu-lfarid by Ibn Abd Rabbihi, Jawahiru-l’adab by Alhashimi and many more.

They reflect Arab culture, and with it the influence of such cultures as the Persian, the Byzantine, and the Greek.

In the manner of most folk tales and fables, the stories are designed to entertain listeners and guide them through life’s dilemmas.

As specifically Arabic stories, they offer advice on overcoming the difficulties of desert life.

Finally, they share with readers and listeners the valuable lessons we can take from the experiences of others.

The stories in this collection bring the Arab culture to life a pithy and colorful way, and offer readers a glimpse of the social, cultural and religious aspects of the Arab lifestyle before and after Islam.

The values and moral norms of the desert dwellers —such as loyalty, hospitality, friendship, family bonds, keeping promises and telling the truth—are vividly if concisely portrayed.

The traditional manner of the storytelling conveys that important sense of wisdom passing from the elderly to the young, so that children might learn life’s basic skills—how to get out of trouble, how to earn rewards, even how to save their own lives.

Some stories expose readers to the original context behind proverbs, while others describe the creation of Islam according to the Islamic tradition.

The Caliph, (Muslim ruler charged with providing leadership after the Prophet Muhammad), the judge, the sheikh (an old man, also a tribal leader because of his rich life experience and wisdom), the poet and other figures such as Juha/Goha (a funny man, a wise fool, whose stories are full of wit and wisdom), a thief, a poor man, and even animals constitute the main characters of these stories.