Pool of Paradise: The Heron

This is the 9th part of our series on the Pool of Paradise for children in Ramadan

 

HERON

 

The Heron claims that he is too weak to make the journey and he only desires to be near the water.  The Hoopoe warns the Heron of the perils of the sea.  The Hoopoe then told a tale of a Dervish who asked the Sea why it boiled and rolled and took the color blue.  The Sea said it wore blue for mourning the Beloved and rolled and boiled with love for the One.  The truest desire of the Sea was to have one drop of divine water from the river Kawthar, the river of paradise.

 

“Do not seek the Sea of this world dear Heron.  Seek the Pool of Paradise that is fed by the river Kawthar, which runs to the Sea of Mercy that lies beyond the Sidratul Muntaha.  As we journey to the Pool of Paradise do not forget the Isra wal Miraj.  The journey to the divine presence is farther than we can imagine, but if our path is folded the road is not long.”

 

“The night that the Prophet (s) ascended to the heavens he was shown the river Kawthar that flows from Paradise.  The angel woke him in the night.  The Buraq carried him into the night.  He passed the White Rooster calling all to prayer, the Tree of Life, the Door of Hell, the Sea of Wrath, the Scale of Souls, the Bayt al-Mamur, the Lote Tree, and the Sea of Mercy until he reached the river bank of Paradise.   The Prophet (s) will gather his Umma there at the Pool of Kawthar.  Come dear Heron, don’t delay.  Come with us to the shore of the Pool of Paradise.  This river is nothing but a shadow of our goal.”

 

The Heron lifted his long legs from the water and followed the company on their journey.

 

LESSON PLAN

 

After reading the passage about the Heron have your child add the Heron medallion to the pool to the left of the Humay.

 

Discussion questions:  When the Heron does not want to go on the journey how does the Hoopoe convince him that there is a better place to go?  Many of the birds in our tale do not want to leave the water.  Why is that?

 

 

 

Please share your ideas for teaching children about the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

Pool of Paradise: The Hawk

This is the 8th part of our series the Pool of Paradise for children in Ramadan.

 

HAWK

 

The Hawk claims that he is pleased serving his king and has no need of the Simourgh.  The Hoopoe tells the Hawk that a king of the earth cannot compare to the King of Creation and that he should give no value to the material world.  The Hoopoe told the Hawk a story of an earthly king’s fickle favor.

 

“One king had a servant that he used to hold an apple for target practice on his head.  This servant knew the truth, that the king was mortal and might kill him with the arrow if it missed the apple.  I warn you dear Hawk heed the lesson of this servant and do not forget your true master.  If you come and find your true king you will be in the company of greater leaders then you will find resting here on earth.”

 

The Hawk bowed low with his wings outstretched before their leader and his head turned toward their horizon as he followed the company.

 

 

LESSON PLAN

 

After reading the passage about the Hawk have the child add the Hawk medallion to the pool to the left of the Humay.

 

Discussion questions:  How are the Humay and the Hawk similar?  How are they different?

Please share your ideas for teaching children the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

Pool of Paradise: The Humay

This is the 7th part of our series on the Pool of Paradise project for Ramadan.

 

HUMAY

 

The Humay is the maker of kings.  Where the shadow of the Humay falls a king is found.  The Humay claims that he has no need of the Simourgh because he keeps noble company as he is.  The Hoopoe reprimanded the Humay for his pride and reminded him that he must seek his real king.

 

The Hoopoe told the Humay the tale of the Sultan and the Dervish.  “A  Dervish had a dream where the Sultan cursed the Humay because he wished to be a slave of his Lord and not a king on the earth.  The sultan knew Allah (s) to be the true king of all the creation.”

 

The Hoopoe continued, “If the truly noble curse you Humay and wish to find the Simourgh then what is your worth Humay?  You but delay the true ambition of our assembly who seek the true king.  Follow us to Mount Qaf, pass the seven valleys to the throne of your Lord.  Allah (s) is the maker of kings and their stories.  And so it was with Daoud (a), Sulayman (a)and Dhul Qarnain (a).  Where were you when they were made?”

 

The Humay dropped his wings low and sagged like a buzzard mumbling that it twas true and turned to follow the company of the Hoopoe.

 

 

 

 

LESSON PLAN

 

After reading the passage about the Humay have your child attach the medallion for the Humay to the pool to the left of the Partridge.

 

Discussion questions:  What was the challenge of the Humay bird?  How did the Hoopoe convince the Humay to participate in the journey?

Please share your ideas for teaching children the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

Pool of Paradise: The Partridge

This is the sixth part of out series on the Pool of Paradise for children in Ramadan.  Today we will hear the story of the Partridge and add him to the pool to the left of the Duck.

 

PARTRIDGE

 

The Partridge seeks precious stones and hopes to find a diamond.  The Partridge said, “Because of the weight of these stones I will not be able to make the journey.”  The Hoopoe reprimanded the Partridge and said, “Your heart would be stone as well if you continue to seek colored stones instead of a jewel of real value.

 

The Hoopoe warned the Partridge, “Even Sulayman (a) was weighed down by the weight of his ring and its stone.  On the day that Sulayman (a) forgot to mention his Lord upon removing the ring and its stone it was lost to him, taken by the Jinn Sakhir.  This Jinn held the ring for forty days and Sulayman (a) was brought low.  Each day he took two fish from the sea.  One he ate the other he gave to the poor.  When the Jinn was exposed as an imposter he flew away dropping the ring into the sea where it was swallowed by a fish.  When Sulayman (a) took his fish to eat that night he found his ring again.  Do not forget your Lord my Partridge, for Sulayman (a) was my master and my teacher and even he stumbled for the sake of a stone in a ring.”

 

The Partridge lowered his head, submitted and followed the Hoopoe on the journey.

 

LESSON PLAN

 

After reading the passage about the Partridge have your child attach the Partridge medallion to the pool to the left of the Duck.

 

Discussion questions:  Why did Sulayman (a) lose his ring when he forgot Allah (s)?  Why does the Partridge want to stay with his jewels rather than go on the journey?

 

 

 

Please share your ideas for teaching children the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

Pool of Paradise: The Duck

This is the 5th part of our series on the Pool of Paradise for Ramadan where our birds make a long and difficult journey to find their true leader just as we make our long and difficult fast to come closer to Allah (s).

DUCK

The Duck swept up from the pond and claimed that it was clean and pure as the water dripping from its feathers.  She said, “I cannot leave the water for it is my home and I am well suited to it and not at all suited to this journey before you.  Leave me in my little pond and I will be content.”

The Hoopoe replied, “This pond is not your home dear Duck for your home is the Pool of Paradise.  If you join us in our quest you will find truer water than this and will arrive cleaner than if you remain here.  All life comes from the true water in the Pool of Paradise and not the shadow of water here in this life.  You cannot be clean and pure by denying our quest. And Remember that the Sea of Wrath sent in the time of Nuh (a) is there, but above it is the Sea of Mercy.  From which sea do you wish to take your part?”

The duck lowered her head, submitted and followed the Hoopoe on the journey.

LESSON PLAN

After reading the passage about the Duck have your child attach the Duck medallion to the pool to the left of the Peacock.

Discussion questions:  Are we supposed to stay where things are easy and comfortable all our lives or are we supposed to challenge ourselves with things that are difficult?  In which body of water in Jenna do you think the Duck would like to live?

Please share your ideas for teaching children the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

Pool of Paradise: The Peacock

The peacock is the 4th bird of our Pool of Paradise project for Ramadan.

 

PEACOCK

 

The Peacock came and laid his carpet of feathers before the company.

 

“Do not envy my beauty for I am cursed by my own action.  I am not worthy to reach to the Simourgh but I wish to return to his paradise because it is I that carried Iblis into Paradise.”

 

The Hoopoe spoke to the Peacock, “Your True Home is beyond even the paradise you know and is more blessed and more beautiful if you can reach it. Adam (a) was not exiled for a simple sin but because Our Creator does not wish us to love His Paradise, His Creation, or any other thing he has created more than Him.  We must all guard against this error and seek only the Simourgh and not the comforts of Paradise.”

 

“The Lady Rabia knew this well and she carried a vessel of water to extinguish the fires of Hell and a torch to burn Paradise to teach us that our goal is the pleasure of our Lord and not to avoid the discomfort of Hell or seek the pleasures of Paradise.”

 

The peacock lowered his head folded his tail and followed the Hoopoe on the journey.

 

 

LESSON PLAN

 

After you review the story of the Peacock your child will attach the Peacock medallion to the pool to the left of the Parrot.

 

Discussion Questions:  Why does the Peacock want to return to Paradise?  Why is it better to desire the presence of Allah (s) than Paradise?

 

 

 

Please share your ideas for teaching children the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

 

 

 

Pool of Paradise: The Parrot

This is the third episode of our Pool of Paradise project for Ramadan.  Today we add the Parrot to the pool next to the Hoopoe.

 

PARROT

 

The parrot stepped forward and said, “I am the Khidr (a) of all the birds and desire the water of immortality.

 

The Hoopoe replied, “Foolish parrot, you wear the robe of green but you are not worthy of the robe of Khidr (a).  You will not achieve your true quest by seeking the water of life but by following with us on the way to the Pool of Paradise, the true source of all waters and all life.

 

“Come dear Parrot come and see if you can follow us beyond the junction of the Sea of Mercy and the Sea of Wrath, beyond the sinking boat of this life, the crumbled wall of our civilization, and beyond the sacrifice we all must make when we submit our Will to the Will of our creator and murder our own ego.  Come with us Parrot and see if you can even reach as high as our master Musa (a) before ever claiming to be like the unknowable yet all knowing Khidr (a). This life is a snare that all birds must escape to reach our real life.  Bid farewell to this false life dear Parrot and follow us to the ends of this earth.”

The parrot lowered his head to the ground, submitted and followed the Hoopoe on the journey.

 

 

LESSON PLAN

 

After reviewing the passage the child will add the Parrot medallion to the pool to the left of the Hoopoe.

 

Discussion questions:  what is the mistake that the Parrot makes?  How does the Hoopoe help the Parrot?

 

 

Please share your ideas for teaching children the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

 

Pool of Paradise: The Hoopoe

This is the second episode of our Pool of Paradise project for Ramadan.  Today we add the Hoopoe to the pool next to the Nightingale.

 

HOOPOE

 

The Hoopoe addressed the Nightingale, pleading with him to not be deceived by the illusions of this world no matter how lovely and enchanting they may be.  He begged the Nightingale to perceive the thorns and the wilting petals.

 

“If you lose your rose one day you will know that all that is beautiful comes from Our Lord and all that is false comes from ourselves.  If you love only that which is mortal and fleeting you will always be disappointed and desolate, dear Nightingale, so follow me to the source of all that is beautiful and all that your heart can desire because there is but One Vessel that can contain the Creator: the heart that lies in your breast.”

 

The nightingale lowered her head, submitted and followed the Hoopoe on the journey.

 

LESSON PLAN

 

After reading the passage add the Hoopoe medallion to the pool to the left of the Nightingale.

 

Discussion question: How is the Hoopoe different than the Nightingale?  Why is the Hoopoe leading the other birds on their journey?

Please share your ideas for teaching children about the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

 

 

Pool of Paradise: The Nightingale

This is the first episode of our Pool of Paradise project.  The story for the Nightingale is below and the lesson plan that goes with it.

 

NIGHTINGALE

 

The Nightingale sings each night the songs of Daoud,

 

But the nightingale thought only of its rose and not its thorns or the plant or the leaves or the roots or the earth, air and water.

 

The nightingale sang,

 

“Your love is better than life, my lips will glorify You.

I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands.

I think of you through the watches of the night.

Because You are my help, I sing in the shadow of Your Wings.

My soul clings to You; Your Right Hand upholds me.

 

“I will sing of Your Strength, in the morning I will sing of Your Love;

for You are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

From the ends of the earth I call to You, I call as my heart grows faint;

lead me to the rock that is higher than I,

For You have been my refuge, a strong tower against the foe.”

 

Behind the face of his beloved rose was the face of the One Who Created All.  The nightingale said, “I am weak and cannot leave my illusions and seek the Creator of My Beloved.”

 

 

LESSON PLAN

 

After reading the passage about the Nightingale your child will place the Nightingale medallion on the pool at the top and the birds that will follow will go the left so that they are moving counter clockwise around the pool.

 

Discussion questions:  Why is the bird having difficulty to make the journey?  What do you think the Hoopoe bird will say to convince the Nightingale to go on the journey?

 

 

When we discussed the story my son asked why the Rose had thorns.  When I asked him how the Hoopoe could convince the Nightingale to come he said the Nightingale should bring 2 roses on the journey, one for itself and one for the Simourgh.
Please share your ideas for teaching children the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20

Pool of Paradise: The Hoopoe Addresses the Assembly

Before the first bird approaches the Hoopoe bird with his struggle on the path the Hoopoe addresses the assembly as a whole and describes the journey before them and its purpose.

The next post will be for the Nightingale – the first bird that will be placed on the top of the pool canvas, the others will follow counterclockwise to the left of the Nightingale all around the pool.

 

THE HOOPOE ADDRESSES THE ASSEMBLY

 

“I have even been a faithful servant to my master Sulayman (a) and it is his master that we must seek.  Leave your egos, leave your fears and come with me to find our True Master.  It is the Simourgh that we seek yet when we find him you will see that only your soul can perceive him.”

 

So one by one each bird took heart but once they heard of the trials before them they paused and doubted and so the Hoopoe said,

 

“When the creator regarded the Well of Souls before him and sent them out each to fulfill their quest He gave them a secret.  This secret was given to help each defeat their greatest enemy and return victorious to the Creator.  Now all of you who gather here have forgotten the Day of Promises and your secrets, know not your quest and follow your enemy like a tethered animal.  When the creator made your souls he gave each soul its Will.  The Will to do good or the Will to turn to evil.  This Will is precious and it is what sets you apart from the Angels made before you.  Your creator used many means to guide this Will and all but one failed.  When your creator cast the Will into the Valley of Hunger it said “You are the One and True Lord and Creator and to You alone we turn.”  For thirty days we will travel on our journey.  We will fight our fear, our anger and our hunger so that we may recognize the creator once more and leave the Valley of Hunger again.  Our Creator has given us the gift of Ramadan so that each year we can remember Our Quest, Our Origin and Our Home.

 

 

The next post will be for our first bird on the pool, the Nightingale that is superimposed on the first slice of the Ramadan moon.

Please share your ideas for teaching children about the rites of Ramadan.

Please see out new book for this project:  The Pool of Paradise: A 30 Day Curriculum.

https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?preview=inline&linkCode=kpd&ref_=k4w_oembed_5gF0J1IPjhdaM3&asin=B076DHW5Y2&tag=kpembed-20