‘Help! Help! He’s going to kill me!’
Hearing the screams, Shirkuh ran through the dark streets of
the town. Suddenly he came around the corner of a building.
A soldier was holding a knife to a woman’s neck. Her eyes were
wild and afraid. Shirkuh didn’t stop to think. In a minute, the
two men were fighting for the knife. In another minute, the
soldier was dead, his blood bright red on the ground
. . .
Late that night, Ayyub heard a soft knock at. The door. It was his
. .
Brother Shirkuh asking for news.
'The baby hasn’t come yet. The mother’s having a bad time, •
The father looked at his brother. 'Why are you hurrying?'
Ayyub. I've just killed a man by mistake, but I was angry.'
I
‘Shirkuh Why did you do this? It’ll be difficult for us here in
Tikrit, the man's family will make trouble.’