The Jar of Olives-Storytelling Podcast for Kids:E372

The Jar of Olives On a cool spring night in Baghdad, a curious young boy peered out into the darkness.

In the faint light of the half

moon,

Omar could see Abu Hamza backing out of the side gate of his house's courtyard.

The man rolled out a small wheelbarrow, then turned to close the gate.

As he slowly moved down the street, Omar followed quietly behind.

Soon, the merchant arrived at his shop in the souk, closed for the day.

How odd, Omar thought.

What's he doing here so late? Abu fumbled in his pockets for a key and unlocked the door.

He took a clay jar out of the wheelbarrow, struggling under its weight.

He carried it into the shop and closed the door behind him.

A few

minutes later, he appeared again.

Picking up the wheelbarrow's handles, he hurried back the way he had come.

A few days later, Omar and his friends heard loud voices.

They went to see what was going on.

Abu was outside his shop, shouting in the street.

He was raising his voice at an older man who stood before him.

It was Ali Khoja.

He had left for Mecca years ago.

When had he returned and why was Abu upset with him? Omar crept closer.

Abu spoke to the crowd as he

pointed at Ali.

This man asked me to keep a jar of olives for him.

Now he tells me it was actually full of gold coins.