Before sunrise, dishes clattered in the kitchen. Youssef hurried in, ready to see what his family was making.
He grabbed a spoon, but it slipped. Clink! It landed in a bowl, and Youssef laughed as everyone made room.
After the meal, Youssef joined his family in prayer. The house grew quiet except for the gentle rustle of fabric.
Morning crossed the windows. Youssef waited through the day while the clock ticked and cooking smells filled the cozy home.
At sunset, Youssef carried dates and water toward the community mosque. He held the sharing tray carefully with both hands.
One date rolled away. Plip, plop! Youssef crawled under a prayer rug, giggled, and brought it back to the tray.
When the fast ended, Youssef offered the first date and drink to someone nearby. Then he reached for another tray to share.
Voices welcomed everyone. Youssef carried the next tray across the mosque, leaving room for every reaching hand.
From then on, Youssef prayed, waited, and helped prepare food each day of Ramadan. He carried plates carefully at home and at the mosque.
Youssef left room for others and smiled when every last crumb was shared. The empty trays gleamed beneath the evening lights.
