On the

Chameleon’s Wedding day

Author: Huda Alhakim

Illustrator: May Alwakil

3asafeer.com

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.

“No, no please don’t call my name, please don’t look at me.”

Murmured William as he sweated, but…

The teacher with the rectangular eye glasses, chose his name and said, “Come on William, tell us what you’ve learnt from the lesson,” and as usual…

William’s face turned red when he found that everyone was staring at him. Everything he wanted to say evaporated from his brain. He stuttered and the words just wouldn’t get out of his mouth, and as usual… Miller and John laughed and laughed and laughed till tears came out of their eyes. William rolled up in his seat like a porcupine.

When the bell rang, he went to a garden next to the school. He hid behind a huge tree, then he burst into tears. Suddenly, he heard a terrified voice saying: ...

“Oh no! where is my umbrella? It’s raining. Everything will be ruined. Oh my goodness what can I do!”

William rubbed his eyes and he looked around. Then he looked under his feet. She raised her head and looked at him and said:

“Oh! thank God it’s not really raining. The rain is coming from your eyes and nose. Can you please stop! You’re ruining my dress.”

William asked her, “What are you doing here, and why do you want me to stop?!” The chameleon said:

“Today is my wedding day, but the groom may runaway as five before him did. Don’t panic.

It’s a bad omen for a chameleon to change her color on her wedding night. It’s a silly belief I know, but we can’t do anything about it. I have to stay green all night. That’s why five grooms

left me during our weddings. It was all because my colour changed.”

William said, “Well that’s simple, then don’t change your colour on your wedding day.” She nodded and said:

“It’s totally out of my hands. When I see the invitees looking at me, I get so anxious and worried and my color turns yellow. Plus, the classical music in the wedding is a huge problem. When I listen to it I feel like I want to go to sleep, so I turn blue. Actually, that’s why I came here. I came to find relaxing herb and an anti-sleep herb.”

William searched with her, but they didn’t find the herbs they were looking for. Then the chameleon got an idea and said:

“You know what, you will sing on our wedding. You have a wonderful loud voice. It will certainly keep

me awake and it’ll keep me relaxed.”

William’s face turned red and he said, “No way, I get so nervous in front of people.”

The chameleon said: “Come on please, all the invitees are animals, and no one will know you.” After lots of persistence, William accepted the idea and off they went to the wedding party.

William stood next to the chameleon and looked at the animals. They were looking at him too. His face turned red and he started to sweat, but..

He found that the chameleon’s color started to turn into yellow, so he started singing in a low voice. The invitees applauded and chameleon returned to her green glow. He smiled and raised his voice a little.

He sang one song after another, and every time he sang the attendants applauded. They were so happy, but suddenly…

He couldn’t recall anymore songs, so he played some classical music to remember.

He looked at the chameleon and found that she getting sleepy, but what could he sing? Then he got an idea.

He held the microphone and sang all the lessons he had at school. Everyone applauded.

William was so happy. The wedding was over and everyone was impressed by his singing, and more than that chameleon didn’t change her color, because of his help.

Later, William waved the invitees goodbye and wished the chameleon a happy life, then he went home. On the next day…

He wasn’t afraid any more. He didn’t worry if the teacher called his name. In fact, he raised his hands and asked to answer the question. He actually stood in front of everyone and told them what he had learnt from the lesson. Everyone was surprised.

William was so confident. His face didn’t go red and he didn’t stutter. No one laughed. In fact, everyone applauded, but…

A few days later, William stood in the school court, and his face had become like a red apple. The teacher with the rectangular glasses came towards him tapped his shoulder and said:

“William, it’s very hot

today, why wouldn’t you go and stand in the shade?”

And so he did and became as confident as he could ever be.

I'm as confident as ever...

The End