In the middle of the world lies the old city of Aleppo in Syria where flocks of doves circle the grand citadel Along a sunlit alleyway a little girl hurries to the souk Her name is Dounia which means the world in Arabic TEN Y Her shining hair holds thousands of stories and the kindness in her eyes makes the birds sing
Dounia runs through the maze of shops to Abdo the spice seller's stall Quick Abdo I need baraka seeds or Teta Mouneh's cheese will curdle says Dounia Oh ho the merchant replies The baraka seed is magic it keeps bad luck away He fills a sack with small black grains and holds it out to her Yalla go straight home Your grandmother's cheese won't wait
