The Wreck of the Zephyr

Mindful Muslim Reader Wreck of the Zephyr book recommendation
Synopsis
At the edge of a cliff lies the wreck of a small sailboat. How did it get there? "Waves carried it up in a storm," says an old sailor. But is it possible that waves could ever get that high? There is another story—the story of a boy and his obsessive desire to be the greatest sailor, the story of a storm that carried the boy and his boat to a place where boats glide like gulls high above the water and not upon it.
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    VIRTUE
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    LANGUAGE
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    STORY
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Mindful Muslim Review

In this cautionary tale, reminiscent of the Greek tragedy Icarus, a boy’s excessive pride and insatiable desire for distinction sets him on a destructive path. Despite guidance from elders, he persists in his pursuit to be known as the world’s greatest sailor with reckless abandon, unable to see the blessings bestowed upon him and even the consequences of his actions. He seems to never quite recover from this obsession, losing his way in this world. With rich illustrations and a thought-provoking story, The Wreck of the Zephyr, is an excellent read-aloud showing that ambition rooted in fulfilling the nafs (ego) can compromise our character and ultimately our primary goal—to gain the pleasure of Allah ﷻ.

Ages: ,
Illustrator: Chris Van Allsburg
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin
Published: 1983
ISBN13: 9780395330753
*This review applies only to ISBN number noted above.

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