AHMED AND THE FEATHER GIRL

Author and Illustrator: Jane Ray
BUY – Ahmed and the Feather Girl

This enchanting cyclic fairy tale, tells of an orphan boy and his acts of kindness which free a mystical bird girl from the cruel circus owner who dominates their lives.

The most positive aspects of this story highlight friendship and caring. Doing the right thing no matter what the circumstances. Kind deeds are remembered, positive actions rewarded in the end.

In a snowy landscape a small boy collecting firewood finds a beautiful golden egg. Concerned for its safety he brings it back to the travelling circus which is his home. Protecting the egg and warming it near the fire Ahmed waits to see what will happen.

The ruthless circus-owner Madame Saleem spies the egg and locks it away in a golden cage. In spring to everyone’s surprise, a beautiful girl child hatches from the egg and instantly forms a deep connection to Ahmed.

The child Aurelia sings beautifully and as she grows, sprouts magnificent feathers. This new attraction brings wealth to the greedy Madame Sallem. Ahmed and Aurelia’s friendship grows, but as summer approaches the bird girl longs to be free and grows quiet and sad.

With reckless courage the boy steals the key to her cage, setting Aurelia free. This selfless act earns him punishment and hardship from the furious circus-owner. Alone, he cries himself to sleep, joyful that she is free yet heartbroken that he may never see her again.

Each night in dreams Aurelia brings feathers to the sleeping boy. Finding they are real when he awakes, he collects them in an old blanket. This theme of tokens, bridges dream and reality, life and afterlife, captivity and the promise of freedom.

By winter he has collected many feathers. One snowy night as he lies huddled beneath a caravan, he hears Aurelia’s beautiful singing.

“Put on your feathers, Ahmed – it’s time to go!” she sings. He discovers that the feathers have become a beautiful cloak which fits him perfectly. “Together they fly away into the dark night to the place beyond the stars.”

As with many older folk tales the themes of cruelty, imprisonment and a yearning for love are present. These are tempered with wishes, dreams and the magnificence of flying to freedom.

Enchanting illustrations filled with exotic eastern detail and rich colour, bind this poignant tale of hope and transcendence to the wishful heartstrings of a child’s imagination.

Buy – Ahmed and the Feather Girl