The Flying House

Thabit lives in a small hut on a remote island, alone after his parents’ passing.
He spends his days fishing and trying to stay away from the crocodiles that draw closer to his hut every day, attacking his boat.

Thabit realizes he must leave the island, but he recalls his father’s mysterious advice: “Take the orange tree with you wherever you go.”

How can Thabit carry an orange tree with him? And did his father’s advice carry other meanings?

The Flying House is a story that blends fantasy and adventure, taking us on an inspiring journey of determination, resilience, and staying rooted.

“The Flying House” is a story that follows the life of “Thabit,” who faces various challenges in his journey to find a safe place for his flying house. The story teaches children many values and life skills, such as patience, adapting to changes, learning from experiences, and holding onto one’s land and roots. Through the symbolism of the flying house, children can learn that the homeland is not just a place where we live, but it is a part of our identity and values. Even when we face challenges or disasters, we carry our homeland in our hearts and work to improve and protect it. This story teaches children that holding onto the homeland and hoping for a better future are two fundamental values in life.

Objectives:

• Enhance reading and comprehension skills.

• Encourage children to read the story carefully and understand the events and characters.

• Analyze the behaviors and motivations of the characters.

• Learn moral values:

  • Patience and perseverance in facing challenges.

  • Adapting to changes and facing difficulties wisely.

  • The importance of learning from past experiences.

• Develop critical and creative thinking:

  • Ask questions about the decisions Thabit made and how he dealt with problems.

  • Encourage children to think of alternative solutions to the events.

• Promote environmental awareness:

  • Discuss how Thabit interacted with the natural environment and how to utilize resources properly.

  • Talk about the importance of preserving the environment and adapting to climate changes.

The Homeland and the Symbolism of the Flying House:
In the story, the flying house is not just a shelter for Thabit; it is a symbol of the homeland that he carries with him wherever he goes. Although Thabit was forced to leave his original land due to the crocodiles, he did not abandon his house. Instead, he carried it with him on his long journey. This reflects the idea that the homeland is not just a geographical place but a part of our identity, values, and memories, and we carry it in our hearts wherever we are.

• This concept can be discussed with children: how the homeland may face challenges or disasters (such as wars or natural disasters), but our attachment to it and our love for it remain strong, just as Thabit carried his house despite all the difficulties.

• At the end of the story, Thabit decided to return to his original land after learning how to face challenges. This decision reflects the importance of returning to one’s roots and holding onto the homeland, even if it is full of challenges. Children can learn that the homeland is worth sacrificing for and working hard to improve and protect.

• Discuss with children how Thabit did not run away from his problem with the crocodiles forever but returned after becoming capable of facing them. This teaches children that running away is not always the solution; instead, we must work to improve our situation and return to our homeland when we are ready.

• The Homeland as Part of Identity: The flying house also represents the identity we carry with us. Even when we are far from our homeland, we carry its values, culture, and history with us. Children can think about what makes their homeland special to them, such as family, friends, memories, or even their favorite places.

For Discussion:

• Why did Thabit decide to leave his homeland?

• What challenges did Thabit face on his journey?

• How did Thabit learn from each experience he went through?

• What tools did Thabit make, and how did they help him face challenges?

• Do you think Thabit made the right decision to return to his original land? Why?

• How could Thabit have dealt with the crocodiles differently?

• What does the homeland mean to you? Is it a specific place, people, or memories?

• How can we carry our homeland with us wherever we go, even if we are far from it?

• What challenges might the homeland face, and how can we help protect or improve it?

Activities:

• Draw a Map of the Journey: Ask children to draw a map showing Thabit’s journey from his original hut to the different places he visited, highlighting the challenges he faced in each place.

• Encourage children to write a different ending to the story, where Thabit makes different decisions or faces new challenges.

• Using simple materials like cardboard and sticks, children can create a model of Thabit’s flying house and experiment with how it moves in the air.

• Plant Small Plants: Like the orange tree Thabit carried with him, children can plant small plants and learn how to care for them.

• Ask children to draw or write a story about their homeland, imagining how they can contribute to improving or protecting it. They can imagine themselves like Thabit, carrying their homeland with them wherever they go.