Yasser continued to wipe the beads of sweat dripping down his forehead. The camels were walking side by side. Jamal looked at the children who seemed uncomfortably hot. “It’s actually not a bad day for us,” he smiled at their fragility. “Sometimes, it gets to forty-three degrees. Very few animals can survive in the desert’s extreme heat. We are the largest animals that live here and that’s only possible because of the special features Allah has given us.”
Zahra looked around the arid sandy planes. Jamal was right. There was no water in sight, no leafy trees for shade or to eat. How did the animals
survive here?
“Is one of those features a built-in air conditioner?” Yasser asked. He couldn’t help stroking Naaqa’s soft fur. It was like wearing blanket
in the summer, he thought.
As if she read his thoughts, Naaqa replied, “The secret is in our fur. Because it is so thick, it helps us to keep the coolness we absorb inside our bodies. That way we can be cooler than the outside temperature. When it gets very cold in the winter, the fur works the other way around and keeps us
warm!”
“Like one of those insulated bags that keep food warm or cold for longer?” Zahra said.
“Exactly like that,” Grandfather agreed. “And their fur also prevents camels from sweating too much so they can keep more water in their bodies.”
Naaqa gave Grandfather a nod of approval. “Yes, that’s true, SubhanAllah!”
The mention of water made the children feel thirsty. “Asalaamu alayka ya Aba Abdillah,” Zahra whispered. She couldn’t imagine his thirst on the desert plains.
Yasser looked at Zahra sympathetically. Her lips were dry and she seemed sad. “Please Naaqa,” he said out loud, “is there anywhere we can get some
water? My sister is thirsty.”
“Of course,” Naaqa replied. “I could do with some water too. I haven’t had anything to eat or drink for over a week.”
“A week!” Zahra exclaimed. “The longest I’ve gone without water is a few hours in the month of Ramadhan and that was super tough! How can you
go without water for so long?”
“Allah has designed our bodies to allow us to use water in the best way possible.” Jamal replied “From the shape of our blood cells to our nostrils, every
part of our body is designed to keep and use water without wasting even a drop.”
Yasser and Zahra were amazed, “SubhanAllah,” they exclaimed, truly in awe of Allah’s creation and design.
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