Every spring, Sama and Shadi's family, along with their relatives' families, take a trip to the wilderness. The families compete to collect the largest number of truffles that sprout after a rainy and thundery season. However, at sunset, the truffles disappear from their places, and everyone sees strange footprints in the sand. Whose footprints belong? What is the secret behind the truffles' disappearance?
Parents and Teachers Guide
After a rainy season, Sama goes with her family and relatives on a trip to the wilderness to collect truffles. Bumps in the ground indicate the presence of truffles, in addition to their presence next to a flowering plant known as raqrouq. Families compete to collect the largest number of truffles by placing flags on the bumps to mark their locations. As the sun sets, everyone notices the flags scattered on the ground and the truffles disappearing from the holes. They follow the tracks that appear in the sand and later discover that the truffle thief is a jerboa... a desert kangaroo. Discussion: - What are the characteristics of spring? When does it start? - Why did Shadi and Sama wait impatiently for spring? - Have you ever gone on a camping trip in the wilderness? What did you do? - Mention some famous family traditions in your area. - How can we detect the presence of truffles? - Why do truffles grow near other plants (raqrouq)? - Do truffles have other names? (Bint al-Ra'ad, al-Faq'a, al-Tarfas) - Why did the truffles disappear at nightfall? Teach children that the jerboa is a nocturnal animal. - What is the jerboa called? (Desert mouse/Desert kangaroo) Why? - Is there another animal similar to the jerboa? - Why is the jerboa called the desert kangaroo? - In your opinion, why does everyone compete to collect truffles? (Teach children about the benefits of truffles)