Mini

Num

Author: Al-Sayed Ibrahim

Illustrator: Mostafa Al-Barshoom

3 a s a f e e r . c o m

The original work of this book was made possible through the generous support of the All Children Reading: A Grand Challenge for Development (ACR GCD) Partners (the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), World Vision, and the Australian Government). It was prepared by Asafeer Education Technologies FZ LLC and does not necessarily reflect the views of the ACR GCD Partners. Any adaptation or translation of this work should not be considered an official ACR GCD translation and ACR GCD shall not be liable for any content or error in this translation.

Amid the noise in the forest, Mini Num the bear hatched in the depths of the quiet river. He drifted far away in the current and he found himself quite alone.

None of the animals ever knew he was there, so small he was like a particle in the air. How would they ever see him if he’s that small? They probably won’t notice him at all.

Mini Num the bear never smiled. He was so gloomy and sad, two hundred year old Tiny asked him, “What’s wrong with you? Try to smile, Mini Num. Look at me! Look at how happy I am!”

“Come on, Mini Num. You’ve got to tell me why you ’ re so sad.” said Tiny. Mini Num said, “I am so, so, so small. No one can even see me at all! I wish I were as big as a hippo or as fierce as an alligator or as colorful as a fish, but look at me. I am so small. No one can see me at all.” Then Mini Num burst into tears.

Tiny said, “Well, I’m sure all the animals you’ve mentioned have perhaps wished to be small and extraordinary like you. I know you don’t understand now, but when you grow up, you’ll see.” Mini Num said, “Is this true? If so, how?”

Hippos can’t live without air, you see, and fish would die out of the water. Alligators can’t spend a single day in the desert, but look at you. You can live anywhere under any circumstances,” said Tiny.

Mini Num said, “Please take me with you, I want to try.

Tiny said, “Let’s swim in the river till we reach the ocean,

then together we’ll dive together as deep as we can go!”

They dove deep into the depths of the ocean. Mini Num discovered that he was a great diver. Tiny said, “Very few creatures can survive all the pressure and darkness around us. It is your differences from them that allows you to live comfortably here.

Mini Num felt happy and said, “My small size is the secret of my power. What would I have done with lots of muscles down here?”

Tiny said, “Let’s go back up. Our next adventure will take us to the top of a mountain.”

They happily climbed the mountain until they reached its icy peak. Mini Num said, “I never felt cold or even tired, yet all the other animals were shivering in their fur coats!”

Tiny said, “Just wait until we go into space!” And to space, off they went.

They sat on the outside of the spacecraft and blasted through the atmosphere. Mini Num was amazed and said, “Wow! Where are we headed?”

Tiny said, “Guess what? We’re on our way to the moon!”

When the spacecraft landed on the moon, Mini Num had an astonished look on his face. He said, “I don’t even need type of space suit! I’m an amazing exception.” Tiny said, “Well, prepare to be amazed on our next trip too.”

After they landed on earth, they walked and walked until Tiny asked, “Did you ever try swimming in a volcano?” Mini Num looked shocked and said, “You mean in the hot lava and magma?

Tiny smiled as he jumped into straight into the volcano. Mini Num waited a moment. He didn’t want to get burned.

Tiny laughed as he swam and said, “We can’t get burned! Did you know I survived an atomic bomb in World War II? Mini Num hadn’t known that but now he was convinced. So he jumped in, shouting, “We ARE amazing, no matter how small we are!”

The End