As climate change continues to impact the world, human influence on the environment becomes increasingly apparent. However, the dissemination of stories about environmental sustainability is not a new phenomenon. For centuries, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) have shared narratives addressing this theme.
Tales establish a connection between humanity, the environment, nature, the ocean, living organisms, and geography. They explore themes such as human dominance over the environment and its consequences, highlighting the destructive impact of such actions. Additionally, they delve into various aspects of human life within the contextual backdrop of specific locations, shaping the events of the narrative. Thus, they highlight how the ocean, the environment, nature, and geography, encompassing elements like mountains, rivers, deserts, plains, animals, and agricultural influence various aspects of life. These Tales delve into matters that deeply concern humanity, addressing a wide range of topics such as life, love, envy, metaphysics, fate, brotherhood, friendship, and family relations.Epic love tales may culminate in the tragic drowning of the beloved in a river, or a tale may revolve around a tree that rescues a poor girl from a monstrous threat. These tales can be found across different regions, such as the tribal stories of Africa, the desert tales of the Arabian Gulf, narratives of civilizations along the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, or the mythological tales of ancient Egypt along the River Nile.
Tales of the River Nile
The Nile has played a paramount role in the lives of people in North Africa and the Middle East – and has also found its way into many tales. In Pharaonic mythology, the Nile is considered a gift from the gods to humans. A myth says that the Sun God Ra painted the Nile with the aim of making it the backbone of the Earth. Legend adds that the god ordered the Nile to flood as a gift to the poor people who lived in Egypt to prepare their land for planting. This myth reveals the close relationship and direct link between humans and their environment, as the life of one is linked to the other.The biography of Prince Saif bin Thi Yazan is a monumental epic work that revolves as well around the river Nile. According to the myth, the prince was assigned with the mission of retrieving the book of the Nile, which was in the possession of the Abyssinians, ancient people historically associated with the region of Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Horn of Africa. The myth suggests that by holding the book, the Abyssinians gained control over the Nile, resulting in the cessation of its flowing waters in Egypt. The prince's journey to Egypt is full of magic, divination, paranormal, jinn, talismans, Pharaonic tombs, statues, volcanoes, and monsters.
Tales of Trees
A myth says that during the journey of Hatem Al-tai, a legendary figure renowned in Arab and Persian folklore for his generosity, he and his companions became hungry and thirsty. When they reached a large tree that was hundreds of years old, they found unripe fruit on its branches. Hatem Al-tai refused to cut the fruits of the tree to still the hunger of his caravan and decided to sit under the tree to take refuge from the shadow of the sun and to sleep under the tree. The next morning, as the caravan prepared to continue the journey, they found that the tree had borne fruit and its delicious fruits had fallen to the ground. The fruits were a tribute to Hatem Al-tai's patience and preservation of the tree even in times of need. This tale is a symbol of the values of patience and giving, and how compassion for nature can be important for humans and animals alike.There are other tales of Hatem Al-tai meeting a magical tree with strange abilities and capable of fulfilling the needs and desires of those who approach it sincerely. Consequently, Hatem Al-tai makes the choice to aid individuals who require shelter, food, and other necessities by appealing to the tree for assistance. He exemplifies traits of bravery, magnanimity, and authenticity. These are not only tales about hospitality, compassion and rewarding selfless deeds, but also about how nature gives humans bounties under the condition that humans in their turn treat it with love, security, and care.
There are numerous more stories about trees: One story features the friendship between a boy and a tree. In this tale, the tree selflessly offers itself to the boy, enabling him to fulfill his dreams amidst the rapid urbanization and the constriction of nature caused by the ever-growing city and its towering buildings. Another narrative features a woodcutter who encounters a tree that unexpectedly speaks, providing guidance on how to perform his work in a manner that safeguards nature. We also find the tale of the Palm Tree and the Olive Tree, two adjacent trees that share the same ground. Despite their differences, they learn how to coexist peacefully after realizing that each has value and goals in life.
Another tale unfolds the narrative of a construction worker and a peculiar tree. This story talks about Maruf, a worker in need of sturdy wood. He stumbles upon a massive tree, and as he strikes his axe against it, he discovers that the tree is as solid as a rock, impervious to the impact of his tool. Soon after, Maruf tumbles from the tree, entering a realm teaming with colossal and fantastical creatures, where animals and humans coexist in peculiar harmony. For decades, these creatures had been hiding, waiting for Maruf to save them from the evil of the greedy hunter who persisted in killing animals, cutting down trees, and threatening nature.
The lesson conveyed by this tale is that nature bestows rewards upon those who treat it with kindness and respect.
Tales of Animals
The tale of the farmer and the snake explores the theme of kindness and evil and sheds light on the intricate relationship between humanity's goodness and the consequences it can bring. It emphasizes that if one fails to acknowledge the repercussions of their actions when interacting with nature, their goodness can turn against them in a detrimental manner. According to one tale, a farmer found a snake about to die because of the cold, so he rescued it out of pity and put it inside his coat to warm up. When the snake regained its strength, it stung the farmer with a poisonous bite. Curious as to why the snake acted as it did, the farmer inquired about its motives. In response, the snake explained that it was simply acting in accordance with its inherent nature. It emphasized the importance of recognizing and exercising caution when interacting with Mother Nature. The snake's reply conveyed the message that humans, too, must approach their interactions with nature responsibly, harnessing its powers in positive ways rather than recklessly leading themselves towards ruin.Another tale about the farmer and the snake indicates that a farmer came across a hungry snake and gave it milk. The snake rewarded him with a gold coin. Every day the farmer would give her a glass of milk and come back in the evening to find a coin in the cup. One day, the farmer asked his son to do the job for him because he was busy, but his son decided to hit the snake and dig in its hole for the gold, but found nothing. When the father learned of what had happened, he rebuked his son, apologized to the snake, and offered it a glass of milk. The snake agreed to forgive his son and agreed to continue their friendship but decided not to give him a piece of gold anymore. The lesson conveyed by this tale is that nature bestows rewards upon those who treat it with kindness and respect, resulting in their efforts being reciprocated twofold. Conversely, if one inflicts harm upon nature, it will ultimately cause harm to humanity.
Tales of Water
Being the driest region on this planet, water has played a leading role in many tales of the MENA region: Lady Hagar, Prophet Abraham's wife, was left in the barren desert of Mecca with her young son Ishmael. Hajar began searching for drinking water with her child after she became very thirsty, and after her breasts stopped producing milk that would provide food for her child. As she ran between the hills of Safa and Marwa, the well of Zamzam gushed forth from the rocks when the angel Gabriel struck his wing against them. This divine intervention caused water to spring forth. The presence of water from the well of Zamzam played a pivotal role in the transformation of Mecca. Previously an arid and uninhabited desert devoid of trees and water, Mecca became a thriving place where humanity could settle, thrive, grow, develop, and prosper. Over time, the descendants of Ishmael established their lives in the region. With the advent of Islam and the arrival of the Prophet Muhammad, Mecca evolved into a city brimming with Muslims. This highlights the significance of water in the process of building civilizations.The tale says that Lady Hajar walked seven consecutive times between Safa and Marwah in her search for water, and later this became what Muslims know as the Hajj and Tawaf. Indeed, this tale rooted in the Abrahamic religious heritage underscores the significance of preserving valuable water resources and recognizing their worth. The Arabian Peninsula region, where the tale takes place, places great importance on the conservation and appreciation of water due to its arid nature. The tale also signifies the deep connection between humanity and their environment and emphasizes the interplay between myths and the geographical context. The events in the tale intertwine with the natural surroundings and the effects they have on the characters.
There are many and many myths about water. One tale says that the sea water was sweet and devoid of salt, and that a greedy, selfish, and envious rich man stole the wondrous mill from his poor brother and fled into the sea on a boat. Subsequently, the rich man commanded the mill to extract salt. In the beginning he was happy. However, the mill continued to produce salt incessantly, as it possessed a hidden mechanism to halt the production—a secret known only to the poor man. As a result, the mill was submerged and settled at the depths of the sea, causing the surrounding seawater to transform into saltwater. The tale refers to the importance of helping one's brother and the importance of being convinced of what we have, otherwise we harm ourselves and harm others and the environment.
Indeed, the concept of the immiscibility of saltwater and freshwater is a recurring theme found in diverse cultural and religious traditions. It serves as a symbolic representation of purity, integrity, and the repercussions that arise when contrasting elements combine. One of the tales that exemplifies the concept of ingratitude towards God can be found in religious stories, such as the story of the Prophet Moses and a group of people who fail to appreciate God's blessings. In this tale, Moses encounters a group of people who are facing a crisis in the desert, where water is scarce. Moved by their plight, Moses strikes his staff against the rocks, causing water to gush forth miraculously.
March 2025