First published in Great Britain in 2011 by English PEN, Free Word, 60 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3GA 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 Collection

copyright English PEN, 2011 The moral right of the authors has been asserted. The views expressed in this book are those of the individual authors, and do not necessarily represent the opinions of the editors, publishers or English PEN. All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise), without the prior permission of both the copyright owner and the publisher of the book. A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library. ISBN 978-0-9564806-3-7 Printed and bound in Great Britain by Aldgate Press, Units 5&6, Gunthorpe Street Workshops, 3 Gunthorpe Street, London E1 7RQ www.aldgatepress.co.uk Designed by Brett Biedscheid, www.statetostate.co.uk

CONTENTS
6 8 9 10 12 13 16 17 17 18 18 19 20 21 21 24 25 26 26 27 28 29 29 32 32 33 34 35 36 37 37 38 39 39 42 43 44 45 46 47 Rain and Magic Shoes My First Day Me and My Friends Raining Everywhere My Favourite Country My Grandpas Hat The Drawing The Parrot The Magic Shoes The Ring The Magical Ferrari Car Alone My Favourite Animals My House Sounds Mr John My Girlfriend White Dog C11 Mr Ahmad Watch The Ruler My Father A Photograph Rain From Sky My Way To Venus The Rosary Rain I Will Wear Golden Shoes Lions and Tigers My Brothers Picture I Will Have A Suit Made of Cotton Rain in India Silver Shoes Fashion Girl My Uncle The Party! The Lion and the Horse Trainers and a Shirt Holiday of a Lifetime Shazea Quraishi Bagher Abduisada Mohammed Hassan Amani Farhan Khyber Ibrahimi Hashim Ibrahim Amanda Lakatosz Michael Jordan Muhammad Hassan Mohammed Alfadli Khyber Ibrahimi Shahagha Safi Mahish Naran Kanbi Shilpa Ashok Karolina Girgonyte Ahmadullah Safi Bharat Bhanji Varsani Bruno Raza Sharif Hashim Ibrahim Ahmadullah Safi Bruno Raza Sharif Mohamed Alanzii Karolina Grigonyte Michael Jordan Khalid Wehlise Bagher Abdulsada Clarisse Nkung Ghulam Hussain Ahmahamed Mohammed Alfadli Vishal Chunilal Ghulam Hussain Attamahamed Khalid Wehlise Shilpa Ashok Vishal Chunilal Clarisse Nkung Mahad Amanda Lakatosz Mohamed Alanzi Jawad Ullah Mustafa Hassan

Photo By Anna Myers

ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

RAIN AND MAGIC SHOES

When Nii Parkes and I embarked on a series of reading and writing workshops at the Tricycle Theatre with newly-arrived young people from Wembley, our plan was not to have a plan to be led by the students. And then we met them. Bright, exuberant, irrepressible, they kept us on our toes. We couldnt have planned for them. A session that started with a discussion of what we had for breakfast might go on to the beloved exercise adjective/noun/verb/ adverb, followed by reading a poem on rain by Vasyl Holoborodko and ending with writing about rain in Beirut, rain in Birmingham. For the last two sessions we were joined by Aoife Mannix who took us to an intergalactic party and urged us to revolution. We also had some wonderful guests: we drew in the air with Inua Ellams and drew without looking, sang songs about our names with John Hegley and his mandolin, wrote imageinspired poems with Pascale Petit and listened to Amarjit Chandan read poems in Punjabi and English. For me, the best thing about languages is the way they open you up to different ways of making sense of the world, different perspectives. Our students came from over a dozen different countries and spoke two or three languages at least, though many spoke five or six. It was a great privilege to experience their multi-faceted, kaleidoscope-view of the world. I am looking forward to you reading the poems and stories in this anthology, about rain and precious rings, football, fathers and magic shoes, about a cat called Mr John. And I cant wait to hear again the voices I came to know, which continue to surprise and delight me. On behalf of everyone at English PEN, I would like to thank very much the teachers from Copland Community School and everyone at the Tricycle Theatre (and especially Anna Myers) who made our writing experience so special. This project and the book in your hands is nothing without the generous support of John Lyons Charity, to whom we are grateful for having such vision. Projects like this are rare and require adventurous funding. Shazea Quraishi

THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

Photo By Anna Myers

ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

MY FIRST DAY
Bagher Abduisada

Where I was born there was no happiness. People were running, some were screaming. It was raining, but not water bombs, And bullets were falling from the sky to the ground. When I came to Sweden, I was dreaming about flying in to space. If I could build my own space plane to fly with, Then I will be the first young boy in space.
Bagher is from Iraq. He speaks Arabic, Swedish and English.

THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

ME AND MY FRIENDS
Mohammed Hassan
One time I was with my friends in my country. I went outside. It was raining and a little bit stormy. I went to the seaside. It was near to my home when I went and stood with my friends, talking. I wasnt, no I didnt see the hole in the ground. I took some steps. There was a big hole in the ground, full of water. I fell in to the hole. I was so scared, I couldnt move in the hole, it was small and my whole body was stuck. I shouted to my friends Help. My whole body was in the water and my friends helped me to get out from the hole. When I got out from the hole I was all wet and all my friends laughed at me. I felt so embarrassed.

Mohammed (16) is from Afghanistan and speaks English, Pashto, Urdu and Hindi. He likes listening to music and playing games.

ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

RAINING EVERYWHERE
Amani Farhan

Early morning rain in my country Kuwait. Everybody was excited. The children were very happy. They were playing with raindrops. Early morning rain in Beirut. I woke up and I was so happy. After that I went with my family. It was so cold and the rain it was light. My fathers glasses got foggy. Afternoon rain in Germany. The rain was heavy, But the air was pure. I was so happy. The people were running

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

To their home. They were shivering. Midnight rain in London. I was in my room, Reading a story. The rain was so heavy And stormy. I felt cold so I turned on the heater. It was so dark outside. I like to watch the rain. In my country the rain is light. In this country the rain is heavy, Different, but comforting. I breathe the pure air of Kuwait, Beirut, Germany, and now London.
Amani (16) is from Kuwait. She speaks Arabic and English and likes reading.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

MY FAVOURITE COUNTRY
Khyber Ibrahimi

My favourite country is South Africa. The weather of South Africa is the same as my country. There is a city called Cape Town. The city is really beautiful. This city has nice beaches that you can dream of. It also has nice swimming pools. People of this country are really dangerous. If you have money or a car, they will steal it. My country, Afghanistan, is the same beautiful and dangerous.

Khyber (18), from Afghanistan, speaks Dari, Pashto, Urdu and English.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

MY GRANDPA S HAT
Hashim Ibrahim
Always, like his hair, My grandpa had a hat. He loved it more than anybody thought. He kept it safe from danger While other soldiers Saved their souls From the angel of death. My father gave it to me when I was young, My grandpa said when I asked him, Why are you so fond of your hat? However, its on my head now. My grandpa died. I will keep it safe, Whatever the cost.

Hashim (16) is from Syria and speaks English, Arabic and French.

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Photo By Anna Myers

ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

THE DRAWING
Amanda Lakatosz

She lives in a dark room. She is drawing a blue sea on a piece of paper. Shes using a black pencil to draw a sailing boat. The sea that she draws on a piece of paper it looks really very blue and quiet, that when you look at it you want to stay there and look at it for ever. She wants to add to her bedroom some light and a happy look.
Amanda (16) is from Poland and likes talking and listening to music.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

THE PARROT
Michael Jordan
The Philippines is like a bird. It is a parrot. Because the parrot is colourful, yellow, white and red and its flying. The parrot is clever and it can talk. Ang Pilipinas ay gusto ang mga ibon. Ito ay isang parrot. Dahil ang parrot ay makulay: Ang kulay ni to ay dilaw. Puti at pula at itoy lumili-pad. Ito ibon na ito ay matalino at pwede mo pa itong kausapin.
Michael Jordan (16) is from the Philippines and speaks Tagalog and English. He likes playing basketball.

THE MAGIC SHOES

Muhammad Hassan
My shoes will be made from leather. Soft, light and shiny. They will be magical. I will fly in the sky. I will wear a jacket Made from lion leather And a pink shirt Made from cotton. My brown trousers Will be made from the leather of a deer. I will fly with the help of my shoes And go to Venus alone to the party.
Muhammad (16) is from Pakistan. He speaks Pashto, Urdu and Hindi. He would like to be an air steward or a driver.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

THE RING
Mohammed Alfadli
The ring from my big brother it was silver and thick, formal with a square top and nine diamonds. It was perfect on my finger. He gave it to me four years ago, before he travelled to another country. He said, Be a good man and make me proud. Then he gave me the ring and walked away. I felt ashamed of myself when I lost it, because that ring meant a lot for me and my brother. Me and my brother at the airport. It was in the afternoon. He was sad and I could see the tears in his eyes. He wouldnt cry in front of me because he was trying to be strong. When he gave me the ring he said, Make me proud and be a good man. He slowly turned and walked to the check in. I was standing close to the exit. He walked up to the gate. He was still looking at me and I could see the tears falling down his cheek.

Mohammed, from Kuwait, speaks Arabic and English. He likes football.

THE MAGICAL FERRARI CAR

Khyber Ibrahimi
I like to wear Nike shoes. They are good for football and the gym. I like to wear ripped trousers with a blue shirt. I like to travel by magical Ferrari car. The colour of this car is black. Because black is my favourite colour.

Khyber (18), from Afghanistan, speaks Dari, Pashto, Urdu and English.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

ALONE
Shahagha Safi

I am feeling lonely. I can see my home, the place is good Afghanistan. I can taste the restaurant food. I can see the picture of my country Afghanistan. I can hear you because I am talking on the phone in Wembley. I am watching TV in my room. I am afraid of your dogs barking. The sound of your dog is loud. My house is the sound of cooking in the kitchen rice and chicken. I am happy here with my friends. But I miss my brother.
Shahagha (17) speaks Pashto, Hindi, Urdu and English. He likes to play football and cricket.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

MY FAVOURITE ANIMALS
Mahish Naran Kanbi

I would like to be a monkey because they eat bananas. Monkeys are clever. My country would be a tiger a hunter, wild and white. In my village it is famous because it has white skin and is very soft.

Mahish (17) is from India and speaks Gujarati, Hindi, English and Kachhi. Mahish likes playing football, boxing, swimming and computers.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

MY HOUSE
Shilpa Ashok
My house is the sound of my mother working. My house is Wembley Central. My house is my happy mother cooking. My house is the smell of cooking rice, vegetables, curry. My house is watching TV, listening to radio, music, cleaning. My house is the sound of my family, very happy. My house feels like love.

Shilpa is from India and speaks Gujarati and Hindi. She likes reading a book and dancing.

SOUNDS
Karolina Grigonyte
My house is the sound of my sister singing in the room. My house is the sound of the TV I am watching. My house is the sound of my father listening to music and singing. My house is the sound of laughter. My house is the sound of my small brother playing. I love those sounds because they are my house.

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Photo By Anna Myers

ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

MR JOHN
Ahmadullah Safi

I like cats because cats are very beautiful. I have a cat in Afghanistan. My cat is very dangerous. My cat fights with dogs and other cats. Sometimes my cat goes to another house. He eats live chickens. Always my cat looks after my pigeons. He doesnt eat them. My cat is yellow and his eyes are green. His name is Mr John. I miss my cat all the time. When I remember you, I cry for you my cat!
Ahmadullah (16) speaks Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Hindi and English. He likes football, boxing and cricket.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

MY GIRLFRIEND
Bharat Bhanji Varsani

On my last day in India, She gave me the ring. My girlfriend gave me a silver ring with a blue diamond. I wear this ring every day on my middle fingers. The blue diamond reminds me of my girlfriends eyes. I like my girlfriend and my ring. My girlfriend is so beautiful. I cant believe I have such a beautiful girlfriend.
Bharat (17) speaks Gujarati, Hindi, English and Kachhi and likes swimming, football and working.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

WHITE DOG
Bruno Raza Sharif

Portugal is a dangerous white dog. The white dog is beautiful and he lives in the north of Portugal in a small village called Arcos. When he is hungry he wants something and he looks around for food. He finds a small or big animal he wants to attack, and, very carefully, he has his beautiful dinner.
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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

C11
Hashim Ibrahim
C11, Thursday Evening. Everything was boring the film had not yet begun. Am I happy? A little bit. I cant forget the pain. No! I cant explain. Wait, can I ask? Is that a mask? No, wait! Dont go! I can follow you. Follow you. Heaven? Hell? Im going too. If you stay with me, III stay with you too.
Hashim (16) is from Syria. He speaks Arabic, English and French. He likes reading, watching movies and sharing his ideas.

MR AHMAD
Ahmadullah Safi
I like pigeons because pigeons are very beautiful. I had a lot of pigeons in Afghanistan. One day somebody caught one of my pigeons. I am so sad with this person. My pigeon came back after eight months. He was crying. I kissed him. He was very disloyal.
Ahmadullah (16) speaks Pashto, Dari, Farsi, Hindi and English. He likes football, boxing and cricket.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

WATCH
Bruno Raza Sharif

My watch reminds me of my girlfriend. The watch face was circular and the inside was black. The hands were white and black and the strap was white. But one thing I remember she said: When you lose this watch, say my name In your heart and you can find it. Then I learned something important. When you lose something, You lose your heart.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

THE RULER
Mohamed Alanzii
When I was young in school in Kuwait, my teacher had a plastic ruler as white as teeth. When I said something wrong, he hit me on my hand with it. He hit me ten times. One day when he hit me the ruler broke in half. I kept one half of the ruler white as teeth to remind me of the days my teacher hit me on my hand with a ruler, white as teeth.
Mohamed (16) is from Kuwait. He speaks Arabic and English and likes football.

MY FATHER
Karolina Grigonyte

My fathers picture on my table. I cant live together with my father, so this picture reminds me of my father. I dont want to lose this picture. In this picture my father is so happy, and I can see he is looking at me, so I can feel that I am still with him. If I lose this picture, I will be so sad because I have just this one picture. My father standing near the sea, and wearing a T-shirt, hes smiling.
Karolina (16) is from Lithuania. She likes reading books and dancing.

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Photo By Deon Green

ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

A PHOTOGRAPH
Michael Jordan
I remember looking at the photograph when I was five months old, and I was chubby. My clothes were colourful and my mother was carrying me. My father took a picture of me and my mother. I was smiling and my father and mother were so happy because it was the first time they saw my smile.

Michael Jordan (16) is from the Philippines. He speaks Tagalog and English likes playing basketball and listening to classical music.

RAIN FROM SKY

Khalid Wehlise
One day I remember it was raining heavily. It was midnight and it was cold. I was alone. There were many stars in the sky, it was dark all round. The clouds came quickly. The stars disappeared. I was on my way home. I had been playing football with my friends. After two minutes there was electricity in the sky. The rain was straight and hard. I couldnt move. My friend ran away from the river of water. I tried to run but I tripped and fell on my face. There was blood on my face. I was lying on the ground. I was unconscious under water. My older brother saw me. He ran and carried me to my house. He pushed on my chest and water came out. I woke up the next day and was fine. He was happy. I was happy he saved my life.

Khalid (15) is from Somalia. His hobbies include reading and writing. He wants to be a writer when hes older.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

MY WAY TO VENUS
Bagher Abdulsada

My costume will be red. I will have jet engines in my shoes and gloves. When I arrive at the party, I will arrive by elephant. The elephant will fly like Baba Noel. I just have to spin the tail to start the magic engines. The elephant will have an oxygen balloon around its head. I will shock people.

Bagher is from Iraq and speaks Arabic, Swedish and English. He likes Religion and Space.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

THE ROSARY
Clarisse Nkung

I remember the rosary that my friend sent for me from Congo. The rosary has silver and white beads. There are so many small beads. The rosary is long and beautiful. There is a cross in the rosary. Im so careful with that rosary because its very important to me. If I lose my rosary, I will be so sad. Because its a very important present in my life.

Clarisse is from the Democratic Republic of Congo. She speaks Lingala, French and English and likes dancing.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

RAIN
Ghulam Hussain Ahmahamed

In the early morning I was with my brother. We were riding bicycles. The rain started very quickly. When I looked up the water came in my eyes. I didnt see the car coming. I fell of my bike and broke my leg. My father was sad. He told me Dont worry, youre strong. Then my father gave me money.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

I WILL WEAR GOLDEN SHOES

Mohammed Alfadli

I will wear golden shoes With diamond details and magic jeans that change in to colours we have never seen before. The T-shirt is made of neon lights and is flashing what Im thinking and saying. I will fly through the sky in my golden car, that will shoot through the sky.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

LIONS AND TIGERS

Vishal Chunilal

I would like to be a lion because its strong and brave, a hunter: wild, the king of the forest. My country would be a tiger, because its a very strong, wild hunter. Some animals are scared of the tiger. The tiger is the king of some part of the forest.

MY BROTHER S PICTURE
Ghulam Hussain Attamahamed
In Iran we were playing in the park. I was three years old and my brother was two. My father took this picture on Friday morning. In this picture I can see me and my brother. Every time I see this picture it feels like I am in the park and my Dad is with me. I miss my Dad. When I see this picture, it feels to me like my Dad is alive.

Ghulam (17) is from Afghanistan. He speaks English, Urdu, Farsi and Pashto and likes playing football.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

I WILL HAVE A SUIT MADE OF COTTON

Khalid Wehlise

I will have a suit made of cotton and Michael Jackson hat glasses. My suit will have black stars and a mirror at the back. I will have shoes made of white wood, with stars, and in front long laces made of glass. I will drive in a flying limousine, yellow and black. Inside there will be a lot of servants and my friends, and a swimming pool.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

RAIN IN INDIA
Shilpa Ashok
I remember rain in India. I was alone, it was heavy. It was a warm morning. I was going to go shopping. I was sad because it was raining. I remember rain in school. I was with my cousin, Sonia. It was heavy rain in India. It was warm in the morning. Early morning rain in London. Alone on the wet streets of a stormy and cold day in London.

SILVER SHOES
Vishal Chunilal

I would like magic silver shoes made of metal with a gold zip. Im wearing a T-shirt with diamonds and mirrors on the sleeves, and jeans with my name on the legs. I have brown and black spiky hair.
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Photo By Deon Green

ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

FASHION GIRL
Clarisse Nkung

If I go to the party, I would wear a strapless dress. My top will be pink. The bottom will be short and black. If I want to be long, I will wear high heels of diamonds.

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Photo By Deon Green

THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

My Uncle
Shilpa Ashok

My uncle sent me a photograph. He is in Somalia now. I remember what he looks like, every time I look at the photograph. Hes a black man, bald and short. In the picture he is wearing a shirt and trousers. Hes funny and he talks a lot. He helped me with my school work before I could even write. I remember him as a good person. I love my uncle. I would like to see him again.

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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

THE PARTY!
Amanda Lakatosz

If I go to the party, I would wear a strapless dress and top it off with pink diamonds, and on the bottom long silky pink frills. I will have high heel shoes, full of pink diamonds, that glitter in the suns rays. To travel there I would go by very fast, flying limo. I will take my best friend with me. The limo will take just two seconds to go there with the press of a magic button.
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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

THE LION AND THE HORSE

Mohamed Alanzi

I am a lion because lions are active. The lion is strong and he is smart. I like to watch lions when they play. I am not scared of lions. Kuwait is the best animal. Its a horse because it helps more people to go to another city. If you drive a car sometime, the street is crowded. I think a horse is faster than a car in my city. My city is Alaion. There are a lot of people, they use horses to take them to another city or country, and they are not dangerous.
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ENGLISH PEN READERS & WRITERS / VOLUME FOUR

TRAINERS AND A SHIRT

Jawad Ullah

I would like black trousers made of gold And laces made of diamonds. My shirt would be white and my suit black. And my tie also black, made of snake skin. Id like a black jacket made of leather And a yellow zip made of gold, And in my pocket 100.

Jawad (16) is from Pakistan. He speaks English, Pashto, Urdu and Hindi. He likes football, cricket and swimming.

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THE STORIES OF DIFFERENT COUNTRIES

HOLIDAY OF A LIFETIME
Mustafa Hassan

Once upon a time I was sitting on a bus With cloudy and comfortable chairs. The bus was about to fly on the road like a bird. It wasnt comfortable for the old people, But the young people were having fun. The air was wonderful to breathe. The eyes had so much to see. Everything was green and shiny. It was near to the breezy beach. The sun was bright. The sky was clear, Clear of clouds.

Mustafa (17) is from Somalia. He likes reading and writing poems. When hes older, he wants to be a pilot or a poet.

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The Stories of Different Countries From Readers & Writers the literature education programme of English PEN Edited by Philip Cowell, Readers & Writers Programme Manager The English Centre of PEN International the worldwide association of writers exists to uphold the values of literature, literacy and freedom of expression. The first PEN club was founded in London in 1921 to promote intellectual co-operation and understanding among writers, to create a world community of writers that would emphasise the central role of literature in the development of world culture, and to defend literature against the modern worlds threats to its survival. Readers & Writers is English PENs literature education programme which brings these international values back home to London in the form of creative writing workshops for refugees, asylum seekers and migrants. The programme of workshops that led to this book was supported by John Lyons Charity and Arts Council England and was facilitated with the support of the Tricycle Theatre. Thanks to Nii Ayikwei Parkes, Shazea Quraishi, Aoife Mannix, Inua Ellams, Amarjit Chandan, Pascale Petit and John Hegley for facilitating and visiting the workshops. Special thanks to Anna Myers, Helen Seraphin-Mobbs, Druscilla Rodrigues, Tanja Villikko-Sefton and Deon Green.

English PEN is a company limited by guarantee, number 5747142, and a registered charity, number 1125610.