Tasting the Sky: A Palestinian Childhood

As Mother sews Ibtisam a beautiful blue and white school uniform, she evades Ibtisam’s questions about how girls differ from boys. Ibtisam wishes she could have a stuffed giraffe, but Mother does not have time to sew frivolous things. Mother sews Ibtisam a schoolbag, then surprises her with a stuffed giraffe. Even more surprising, Mother says she loves Ibtisam for the first time. Mother urges Ibtisam to behave and be best in class, and Ibtisam wants to succeed and keep Mother’s love.

Basel and Muhammad assure Ibtisam that they will be in school nearby if she needs them. The whole family goes to the UN schools for the first day. On the way, they pass a large, active Israeli army base flying the Israeli flag. The soldiers who train near their house are stationed there, and that is where the searchlight is located. It reminds Ibtisam unpleasantly of the hospital where she was treated for her foot injury.

Father takes the boys to their building, and Mother and Maha take Ibtisam to the girls’ school. The somber principal, Sitt Samira, says they will observe Ibtisam’s behavior as well as her learning and stresses the importance of good hygiene. Ibtisam joins 35 other girls in the first-grade classroom.