Watching Football
Asif: Hello, you’re Handala! I can see your face. How is that?
Handala: Sorry, forgot to turn around. See you later!
Asif: Please don’t go!
Handala: I’m late, I need to check on my friends at home.
Asif: I thought you wouldn’t return to Palestine.
Handala: Things have changed; Palestine is free now. I want to watch the football match between Palestine & UAE. Do you watch Asia football cup?
Asif: I don’t have TV, but I love football, and my dream is to play for Palestine when I grow up.
Handala: Good luck! Do you play football at all?
Asif: Yeah for El-Jabalia juniors, but that was before I lost my legs m.
Handala: So sorry, what happened?
Asif, tearing up: There was explosion in the UN school yard, then doctors amputated my legs without pain killers. It was really painful.
Handala, shocked: I can’t imagine what you went through, but your eyes tell me you are strong and nothing can break you, my brother.
Let’s enjoy the moment and go out to buy something to eat and watch football?
Asif: Let’s go.
Grandad: Asif, wake up quickly. We need to buy bread before they strike again.
Asif: (groaning). Ow, my legs hurt.
Grandad: Let me check if there’s any fever or swelling. Did you have a bad dream or something?
Asif, weeping in agony: It really hurts. I saw Handala’s face in my dream, and he wanted to buy food and watch football.
Grandad: Poor thing. Let’s get you some breakfast first and talk about football later.
A nicely presented and clever dialogue with deep insights into children’s horror caused by the occupation and war.