Written by: Abdul Ali Al-Fahd

He lived in ancient caves, tamed wild animals to serve him, burned bones to release insects, and caught doves among the crows. He became the ruler of his time after gathering many supporters. He reunited his brothers after their separation and was happy to meet them before his death. He had a unique sister with a remarkable story. This is the story of Dahdah, the seventh brother: The father advised his seven sons to take good care of their sister Afra. After the parents died, they left behind six married brothers and the seventh, a single farmer among the farmers, a hunter among the hunters during times of drought. They had a younger, stubborn sister, unique in her love for God, veiled, with adorned eyebrows, long eyelashes, and a slender waist. She was tall, with a radiant forehead and eyes like a stormy sea. When she walked, flowers swayed to her steps, and her beauty was praised by poets and admired by lovers. Afra became a symbol of beauty, and people would say, "She is as beautiful as Afra." The wives of her brothers envied her beauty and plotted against her, spreading rumors and lies. They accused her of being promiscuous and bringing shame to the family. The brothers, believing these lies, decided to bury her alive in the desert. They dug a deep grave and tricked her into entering it, then covered it with wood and soil. Afra pleaded for her life, but they left her there, thinking they had buried their shame. The youngest brother, Dahdah, felt guilty and decided to rescue her. He rode his horse to the grave, dug her out, and they fled together. They wandered through valleys and hills, living off the land and avoiding people. They found a secluded valley with a cave inhabited by two tigers. Dahdah decided to get rid of the tigers by poisoning their prey. After a few days, he found the tigers dead and moved into the cave with Afra. They cleaned the cave and made it their home. One night, while burning bones for warmth, a genie appeared from the flames. The genie had a terrifying appearance, with iron legs and knees, small horns, and a tail behind its head. Its body was covered in hair, with less on its belly and more on its back. Deep-set eyes and flaring nostrils, fangs bared, lips curled. His hands were paddles, his feet shovels. Dahdah drew his sword and said, "Who are you? Answer before I cut you and you are no more." "I am Nahnaha, the guardian of caves and shelters. I have been waiting since morning to give you the key. Take this key, Dahdah; without it, you will not be among the inhabitants of heights and shelters. You will find me at your service as long as you hold the key." Then the genie vanished. Dahdah brought some sheep and fed the tigers. He went hunting in the morning, while Afra stayed in the cave, forbidden to leave. The tigers grew up under Dahdah's care, learning his ways and the language of signals. He spent most of his time training them to understand signs and catch prey. He named one "My Heart" and the other "My Soul," and called them by those names. He took them hunting, and they became skilled hunters. They would sweep the valley, leaving no prey unchecked. Dahdah would ride his horse in the morning and call, "My Heart, My Soul, sweep the valley," and they would rush like lightning, returning with prey to share. Dahdah would occasionally disguise himself and visit the market in the Sultan's city for supplies. Meanwhile, the tigers guarded the cave, and Nahnaha brought news from the brothers' lands. One day, Nahnaha informed Dahdah of an attack on his brothers' homes and tents by thieves. Dahdah armed himself, mounted his horse, and shouted, "My Heart, My Soul, attack the enemies!" In no time, he reached the lands, raising dust, breaking the siege, and capturing the thieves. The tigers trampled them, and Dahdah freed his brothers' wives from captivity. After liberating his brothers, he returned with the tigers, hunting deer and gazelles along the way. He recounted the events to Afra, who questioned his decision to help those who sought their demise. Close to the cave, there was a water spring where they bathed on Fridays, though it yielded little water. Another abundant spring at the valley's end was used by the Sultan's horses. One day, Afra longed to visit the other spring but feared her brother. She believed Nahnaha's key was the source of Dahdah's knowledge of hidden events. Afra stole the key and hid it by the spring, marking it. She disobeyed her brother's instructions and warnings, bathing in secret. The Sultan's horses arrived at the spring, but the smell of the water made them uneasy. The horseman tried to make them drink, but they refused. He reported this to the Sultan, who sent two ministers to inspect the water. They found it clear and pure. The Sultan himself examined the spring, finding a long hair at the bottom. Astonished by its length and source, he decided to trace its owner. After removing the hair, the horses drank. The Sultan returned to his palace, perplexed about the hair's origin. He showed it to his queen and maids, who speculated various theories. He summoned an old soothsayer, promising her rewards if she found the hair's owner. The soothsayer traveled around, posing as a perfume and incense seller, carrying the hair in her cloak. After her journey, she returned to the Sultan with the hair concealed in a kohl container. Feeling despondent, she ventured to the spring, observing Afra secretly. Afra, carrying a water jar on her head, bathed in the spring, her hair flowing like an ostrich feather, covering her body like a cloud. The sight shocked the soothsayer, who lost consciousness. She sat on Afra's clothes, alarming Afra, who covered herself with her hair. Afra confronted the soothsayer, demanding she move from her clothes. The soothsayer refused until Afra gave her a hair from her head. Angered, Afra grabbed the soothsayer's stick, poked her eye, and made her partially blind. Afra dressed and filled her jar, preparing to leave. Feeling pity, she returned to the soothsayer, reviving her with water. The soothsayer, expressing her motives, asked Afra to take her to her home to hear her story. Afra explained her situation and the secrecy her brother demanded. The soothsayer pleaded for a meeting, but Afra declined, citing her brother's strictness. Ultimately, the soothsayer persuaded Afra to let her comb and admire her hair, hoping to restore her sight. Afra consented, and the soothsayer cut a lock of her hair. Afra asked about the soothsayer's origins, who revealed she was from the Sultan's city, a paradise where desires were fulfilled and respect was commanded. The old woman, the poisoner, left with a promise to return at the appointed time. She arrived at the Sultan's palace, now blind in one eye. The Sultan asked, "Tell me what happened and how you lost your eye?" The old woman replied, "The owner of the hair blinded me! Take this hair and compare it with the one you found." The Sultan ordered his minister to prepare gifts and call doctors from all towns to treat her eye. He also commanded guards to ring bells at her entrance and exit. The Sultan inquired, "Describe the owner of the hair." The old woman praised her beauty, saying, "Her face is radiant, her eyes like the sea. No beauty compares to her." The Sultan, delighted, wished to meet her. Doctors treated the old woman's eye, and her sight was restored. The Sultan sent her back with gifts to visit the hair's owner. She approached the cave but was scared of the tigers. She devised a plan using a mirror, reflecting light into the cave. Afra saw the light and recognized the old woman. They exchanged greetings, and the old woman showered Afra with gifts and compliments, questioning why she wasted her youth in the wilderness. Afra explained her loyalty to her brother who saved her from death. The old woman presented a jeweled necklace from the Sultan, offering her a luxurious life as his queen. Afra declined, valuing her brother and their life more than riches. The old woman's words left a lasting impression on Afra, stirring her emotions. She returned with more gifts and persuaded Afra to meet the Sultan. Afra revealed her brother's secrets, including the tigers, horse, and a magical key. The old woman stole the key but found it useless without Dahdah. Dahdah returned and noticed the gifts. Afra explained, and Dahdah, suspicious, warned her. The old woman returned with soldiers, and Afra, convinced, left with them. Dahdah's tigers alerted him, and he pursued, defeating the soldiers and rescuing Afra. She explained she was forced, and Dahdah forgave her. The old woman, persistent, devised another plan, leading soldiers to ambush Dahdah. Injured, Dahdah called his tigers, but they were incapacitated. The soldiers buried him, leaving him for dead. Afra poisoned the tigers and left with the old woman and soldiers. A caravan found Dahdah, barely alive, and nursed him back to health. Recovered, Dahdah vowed revenge. He met a camel herder's daughter, Samah, and they married. They lived happily, raising children and grandchildren, overcoming their past. Would you like me to continue?