11
The book, a selfless friend
Textbook: Part 1, pp. 32–34
GoalTell how books help people; explain the word “beminnat” (selfless).
New words
book · kitobselfless, not asking for thanks · beminnatlamp · chiroqsun (poetic) · oftob
Explanation
The word kitob came from Arabic and means “writing”. A book teaches us new things and asks nothing in return, so we call it a “beminnat do‘st” (a selfless friend). The textbook has a text by Miraziz A’zam where the book is compared to the sun. We can compare a book to a lamp that shows the way in the dark.
Worked examples
“My book”. A book is my friend. It teaches me new things. When I read a tale I find myself in a magic world. A book never upsets me and never reminds me of its favours. That is why it is called a selfless friend. A book is like a lamp burning in the dark.
Fun fact: there are books in the world even smaller than a matchbox.
Class activity
“My favourite book”: each child names a favourite book and says in 1–2 sentences why they like it.
Practice
1
What does the book teach the child?
New things
2
Where does the child find themselves when reading a tale?
In a magic world
3
Why is a book called a selfless friend?
It never upsets us and never reminds us of its favours.
4
What is the book compared to?
A lamp burning in the dark
5
From which language did the word kitob come?
Arabic