Little Omar and the Singing Sunflower

Little Omar lived in Gaza. His home was small, but filled with love. Every day, Omar played near the sunflower field. One day, a grumpy soldier told Omar he couldn’t play there. Omar felt sad. He missed his friends. He missed the sunshine. He sat by a big, bright sunflower. The sunflower seemed to droop. ‘Why are you sad?’ Omar whispered. The sunflower whispered back, ‘The soldiers keep the sun from us.’ Omar thought hard. He remembered his papa’s old paints. He painted a giant sun on a big piece of cloth. He and his friends held it high above the field. The sunflowers seemed to smile. The soldiers watched, surprised. Omar’s kindness and cleverness showed everyone the true sunshine of Palestine. News of his painted sun spread. People painted their own suns. The soldiers weren't as grumpy anymore, and everyone played together.