Boom! I am a monster, bellowed the
monster above the bed
I am not afraid, says the boy with dry eyes
But it's my job to scare you,
says the monster
Who gave you this job? Asks the
boy
My creator, answers the
monster. He made you, too.
Why? Asks the boy
So I would have someone to
scare, answers the monster
Who did He make first, me or
you? Asks the boy
Me, of course, huffs the
monster. I am mighty. I am older and bigger than you.
But you do not scare me, says
the boy. Your job is useless.
Why do you not fear me? Asks
the monster
Because He spoke to me, this
Creator, answers the boy
When? Asks the monster
When you turned my home into
dust and mixed it with my blood, answers the boy
What did He tell you? Asks the
monster
He said once I have seen who is
stronger than you, I should not fear you, says the boy
Who is stronger than me? Huffs the monster
Him, cries the boy
Lilas Taha is a novelist, winner of the 2017 International Book Awards and is the author of Shadows of Damascus and Bitter Almonds.
Lilas Taha is a novelist, winner of the 2017 International Book Awards and is the author of Shadows of Damascus and Bitter Almonds.