Wednesday 20 July 2005

Laughing at the martyrs

Two Muslim mothers are sitting in the cafe chatting over a pint of goat's milk. The older of the mothers pulls her bag out and starts flipping through pictures, and togther they start reminiscing.

"This is my oldest son Mohammed. He's 24 years old now."
"Yes, I remember him as a baby," says the other mother cheerfully.
"He's a martyr now though," mum confides.
"Oh, so sad dear," says the other.
"And this is my Kalid. He's 21."
"Oh, I remember him," say the other happily, "he had such curly hair when he was born."
"Yes. He's a martyr now too." says mum quietly.
"Oh, gracious me..." says the other.
"And this is my third son. My baby. My beautiful Ahmed. He's 18," she whispers.
"Yes says the friend enthusiastically, "I remember when he first started school."
"He's also a martyr, " says mum, with tears in her eyes.
After a pause and a deep sigh, the second Muslim Mother looks wistfully at the photographs and says...
"They blow up so fast, don't they?"