Tales of Habib the Hoaxter: Sometimes Hoaxed, Always Good for a Laugh

By Ayoub Imilouane and Pamela Cox

Here is a collection of 30 witty stories about Habib, an Arab folk hero who has appeared under many names for hundreds of years. Each tale contains a twist, written to make  you smile or laugh aloud with delight.

 

A light touch, a flexible mind, and a bit of a perverse sense of humor are your tickets into this exotic, timeless world. It's a world of fun for the moment and giving better than you got, not of heavy psychology and serious moralizing. In this world of marvels and belief in marvels, whether the little guy wins or loses depends on how well he uses his wits. 

 

Sometimes cunning, sometimes credulous, Habib has a unique way of thinking that will enable you to see life in a new, wonder-filled way. Many of the stories convey moral lessons, while others offer pure amusement, bringing laughter either at Habib's cleverness or at his lack thereof. Be prepared for an entrancing journey into "one day," an adventure that will transport  you far from your everyday life and sensibility, returning you to them with refreshed eyes and a lighter step.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Pamela Cox
• Release date: Feb 8, 2024
• ISBN: 9798224151219

Book preview

Habib and His Son

One day, Habib and his son packed their belongings in preparation to travel to a neighboring city. They rode on the back of their donkey to begin the journey.

Along the way, they passed a small village, and the villagers began to look at them with unfriendly glances and say, Look at these cruel people! They both ride on the back of the donkey and have no mercy on him.

So when they drew near to the second village, the son got down from the donkey and walked so that the people of this village would not talk about them as they did in the village before.

But when they entered the village, the people saw them and said, Look at this unjust father, letting his son walk while he rests on top of his donkey.

So when they were about to reach the next village, Habib got down from the donkey and said to his son, You ride on top of the donkey.

When they entered this village, the people saw them and said, Look at this useless son! He lets his father walk on the ground while he relaxes on top of the donkey.

Habib grew angry about this issue and decided that he would get his son down from the donkey so that people would have no power over them.

When they approached the city and the people of the city saw them, they said, Look at these fools, walking on their feet and tiring themselves and letting the donkey walk behind them alone.

When they arrived, they sold the donkey.

Habib and His Shoes

Habib left the mosque and could not find his shoes. He stood and shouted in front of the people in a loud voice, I swear to God, if you do not bring me my shoes, I will do as my father did!

The people gathered around him in amazement and asked him, And what did your father do?

Habib said threateningly, Bring me my shoes. Otherwise I will do what my father did.

The people were afraid of him and