The Moonlit Caravan

In a warm desert land, a caravan travels only when the stars are out. Amara leads the group in her deep blue headscarf and ochre robe, studying the sky each evening and planning the night's route with her leather map satchel and wooden staff. Young Tariq, the scout, runs ahead with a brass lantern and rope coil, while Nana Pearl the storyteller rides the wagon in her purple shawl, teaching the children the names of the stars. Pip the donkey plods along, his red harness bells jingling softly.

One clear night the caravan sets out for the old well, following the bright star called the Lantern past a tall tree and a big rock. But thick clouds roll across the sky and hide the stars, leaving the travelers in darkness. Amara stays calm and reminds everyone that they planned for this: they will use landmarks instead. Tariq lifts his lantern and searches for the tall tree, then the rock shaped like a sleeping camel, while Nana Pearl keeps the children steady with stories and Pip carries the extra lanterns. Written by Yavuz DEMİRKIRAN, this gentle tale can be read on Online Masal.