Fatima the Spinner and the Tent

A young woman named Fatima experiences the up and downs of fortune in this Sufi teaching tale from Turkey, learning a number of skills that eventually stand her in good stead. The daughter of a prosperous spinner, who taught her his craft, she sets out on a voyage with her father, only to lose him, and everything else she holds dear, in a terrible shipwreck. Adopted by a kind family, she learns to weave, only to see this new life taken from her as well, when she is captured by slavers. Bought by a kindly mast-maker, she learns his trade as well, eventually setting out on a voyage to Java, to sell his masts. When yet another disaster strikes, and Fatima finds herself bereft once more, she questions the many misfortunes that have befallen show more her. But when these skills help her to fulfill a prophecy given to the Emperor of China, and bring her good fortune and happiness, the pattern of her life takes on a new meaning...

Originally credited to Sheikh Mohamed Jamaludin of Adrianople (Edirne, in modern-day Turkey) - apparently there are variants known in Greek folklore as well - this story was included in Idries Shah's 1967 Tales of the Dervishes, and highlights an important lesson about misfortune, and its role in promoting those qualities which will eventually lead to happiness. Presented here in picture-book form, with appealing artwork by Natasha Delmar, who also illustrated Shah's The Old Woman and the Eagle - I particularly like the use of color, and of decorative borders and other elements - Fatima the Spinner and the Tent is an engaging book, one I would recommend to young folklore enthusiasts, and to any picture-book readers who enjoy adventure stories. show less