This "fairy tale" was a school project and based on the book From Conflict to Peace Building: The Power of Early Childhood Initiatives Lessons from Around the World by Paul Connolly and Jacqueline Hayden with Diane Levin

Preview audio:

storyj.mp/abebwxxjfsm5

Once upon a time in the kingdom of Albania lived two families. They were the families of Aron and Bashkir. One day a terrible thing happened. While working together Aron accidentally dropped a rock on Bashkir's head and killed him. Although Aron apologized Bashkir's family could not forgive him. They shot and killed Aron. Aron's family was angry and killed Bashkir's uncle so Bashkir's family killed Aron's cousin. The killing went on and on. The children couldn't go outside and had terrible nightmares. They cried all the time. This is called a Blood Feud. It went on for five hundred years.

One day Princess Ingrid heard the children's cries.

Princess Ingrid waved her magic wand and created a magical garden with a strong fence. She called it the Garden of Mothers and Children.

The Garden was a safe place for Mothers and Children to play and go to school. Soon the men forgot what they were fighting about and a lasting peace set over the kingdom.

While things got better in the kingdom of Albania things went terribly wrong in the kingdom of Chad. After years of war and neglect no crops grew anymore. The people roamed around looking for food and work. Most ended up living in horrible places called refugee camps.

The camps were terrible places with no running water, toilets, or electricity. Many people got sick and died.

Hassan and his wife and three little children lived in a refugee camp. His oldest daughter, Fadoul, was nine years old and had never been to a school.