For the birds

I hope you all had an enjoyable holiday on Monday. I used the occasion to get some much-needed rest and relaxation. But that doesn't mean I let my charitable duties fall by the wayside -- an ayatollah's work is never done. With my parents' help, I went out to feed the hungry neighborhood ducks, who sadly are not covered by the federal Women, Infants and Children Program. As you may know, I am quite fond of ducks. In fact, one of my best friends is a mallard. In my experience, they are a spiritual bunch, always eager to discuss the Quran and the Hadiths. So I ministered to them while they ate our old hotdog buns, and I believe I made a difference in their lives. I also spotted a large contingent of turtles poking their heads out of the water, but they were too far out for us to reach. God willing, we will feed them next time.

In the evening, my parents cooked out in the back yard, grilling hotdogs and corn on the cob. Unfortunately, my earlier lesson of charity did not rub off on them. After all my efforts to feed the neighborhood waterfowl, what did I get? Not a single hotdog. Not one piece of corn. It was only by the grace of Allah, who granted me these sad puppy-dog eyes, that I was able to lick my father's plate clean.