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
At home the jasmine flowers are in bloom and Kiki the canary sings along with the burbling fountain Their neighbor Mrs. Dabbouss is reading the coffee grounds in Teta Mouneh's cup I see a long hard journey ahead she says squinting But at its end a blue house in a bright white country awaits you
A journey A house Dounia asks appearing behind her grandmother with the sack of baraka seeds If the rumors are true war will soon be at the city gates says her grandfather Jeddo Darwish shaking his head sadly Before adding the seeds to her cheese Teta places a few of the grains in Dounia's hand Hold on to these she tells her in a serious voice Her eyes full of questions Dounia looks at the four tiny black seeds then slips them into her pocket
