Siman Nuurali - Sadiq and the Desert Star

Hi, Im Sadiq! My family and I live in Minnesota, but my parents are from Somalia. Sometimes we speak Somali at home.

Id like you to meet my family and learn some interesting facts and terms from our culture.

• Most Somali people belong to one of four major groups: the Darod, Isaaq, Hawiye, and Dir.
• Many Somalis are nomadic. That means they travel from place to place. They search for water, food, and land for their animals.
• Somalia is mostly desert. It doesnt rain often there.
• The camel is an important animal to Somali people. Camels can survive a long time without food or water.
• Around ninety-nine percent of all Somalis are Muslim.

Sadiq squirmed in his chair. Recess was in five minutes. It was the first warm day of spring. The rest of the class was finishing a journal activity. Sadiq couldnt wait to play soccer with his friends!

I have something special to share, Sadiqs third-grade teacher, Ms. Battersby, said. Next weekend is our schools Spring Festival!

Excited whispers went around the room.

The festival is open to all, Ms. Battersby went on. Its a chance for our schools teams and clubs to raise money. If you have a club, you can sign up to have a table. In the past, clubs have sold baked goods or crafts. See me if you need help thinking of something!

Sadiq frowned. He wasnt part of a club.

Ms. Battersby looked around the classroom. Now, before recess, I have one more announcement, she said. On Thursday well be going to an for a field trip!

Sadiq sat up straight. He put his pencil down. He loved field trips!

This week, were beginning a unit on space. Well learn all about planets and stars. At the observatory, well view them in the night sky.

Sadiq looked over at his friends Zaza and Manny and grinned. He loved space! In the summertime he liked to look at the stars with his .

Our field trip will be in the evening, Ms. Battersby said. Well need an adult at home to sign a special permission slip.

The teacher had just finished passing out the papers when the bell rang.

Sadiq, Zaza, and Manny raced to get to the soccer field first.

* * *

That night, Sadiq was brushing his teeth. He suddenly remembered the permission slip.

Still brushing, Sadiq went to his bedroom and found the paper. He hurried to his parents room.

Baba was in the middle of packing for a business trip.

Baba, can you sign this? Sadiq asked. My class is going to an observatory on Thursday!

Are you learning about space in school? Baba asked. He took the permission slip and signed the paper.

, Baba, said Sadiq. Today we learned about Saturn. Did you know it has sixty-two moons?

I would like to hear about it, , Baba said as he handed the form back to Sadiq. But you should finish brushing your teeth first!

Sadiq hurried back into the bathroom and finished brushing.

Make sure they are brighter than the white sands of Berbera! Baba said.

Baba had been born and raised in the city of Berbera, Somalia. Sadiq loved hearing stories from his dads childhood.

After brushing, Sadiq went to the bedroom he shared with his older brother, Nuurali. Nuurali went to bed much later than Sadiq, which sometimes made Sadiq jealous. He put the form in his backpack. Then he hopped into bed just as Baba was coming into the room. How long will you be gone, Baba? Sadiq asked.

Just a few days, little one. Let me tell you a story about the stars, Baba said. He sat on Sadiqs bed and tucked him in. Do you remember how bright they were in Berbera?

Sadiq nodded. He loved visiting Berbera. But he had only been twice because it was so far away. They were bright like the streetlights! Sadiq said.

Baba laughed. Brighter than even your T-shirt! He poked Sadiqs shoulder. Then he said, But there is one star that was brighter than the rest. It is a star your calls the desert star.

Whats the desert star? Sadiq asked.

Baba said, When I was a boy, your awoowe would travel in his camel through the desert. He sold bales of cloth and bought goods for our family. Whenever my baba left, I was sad. But as long as I could see the desert star, I knew hed return safely.

Where is the desert star? Sadiq asked. Can you show it to me?

Baba shook his head. We cant see it in the city because of all the light here. Its part of a cluster of five stars. The stars are in the shape of an arrow. The desert star is the largest and brightest star. It is at the very tip of the arrow. Next time were in Berbera well look for it, Baba said, smiling.

I cant wait! Sadiq said.

Now, you need to get some sleep, and so do I, Baba said. My plane leaves early in the morning. Sleep well, Sadiq.

Sadiq took off his glasses and closed his eyes. He counted shooting stars until he fell into a deep sleep.

On Thursday, Sadiq, Zaza, and Manny were very excited for their field trip. They ran onto the bus, all talking at once.

I bet well see the planets the sun, Zaza said.

I hope we see a spaceship rocketing across the sky, said Manny.

Sadiq chose a window seat near the front of the bus. He liked to watch the landscape zoom by.

Zaza sat next to Sadiq on the aisle seat. They joked with their friends and told stories. Still, the bus ride seemed to take forever.

Finally Sadiq spotted a big building shaped like a dome. In front of the building was a spaceship.

Zaza, look! Sadiq said. He pointed out the window as the bus came to a stop.

Whoa! Do you think an flew that to the moon? Zaza asked excitedly.

Lets find out! said Sadiq. He, Manny, and Zaza ran off the bus toward the entrance.

* * *

Inside the building, Ms. Battersby led the class into a theater. Sadiq felt like he was at the movies! There were big chairs that leaned back. The lights were turned down. But instead of a screen at the front of the room, the screen was on the dome-shaped ceiling!