In the coastal village of Al Khor, where love for the sea shaped every heart, lived a girl named Mai. She was known for her gentle spirit and deep affection for the waves that whispered along the shore. Her closest companion was Ghaylan, the son of a humble fisherman. Together, they spent their days chasing seagulls, collecting shells, and listening to stories of the ocean’s endless mysteries.
Their friendship blossomed under the warm Qatari sun, bound by laughter and shared dreams. Ghaylan’s father often told them, “The sea gives, and the sea takes, it remembers those who love it.” But one fateful night, dark clouds gathered and a fierce storm swept through Al Khor. Boats vanished beneath towering waves, and among them was Ghaylan’s father’s vessel.
When dawn broke, only broken nets and splintered wood floated ashore. The villagers mourned, believing the sea had claimed another life. Ghaylan stood silent, his eyes fixed on the horizon, while Mai refused to accept the loss. Each night she returned to the shore, calling Ghaylan’s name into the wind, her heart full of faith that love could overcome even the sea’s fury.
One night, her cries were met by a voice rising from the waves:
“The sea gives and the sea takes. Be patient, child of the shore.”
At dawn, a dolphin appeared, carrying Ghaylan safely back to land. The villagers watched in awe as Mai’s tears fell onto the sand, turning into luminous pearls. From that day, they said the sea had rewarded her unwavering love with a gift that would shine forever.
Moral Lesson
True love and steadfast hope can calm even the fiercest storms; what is lost in faith is often returned by grace.
Knowledge Check
1. Who are the main characters in Mai and Ghaylan?
Mai, a girl who loves the sea, and Ghaylan, her closest friend.
2. What central theme defines the story?
Love and hope in the face of loss.
3. How does Ghaylan return after the storm?
He is carried back to the shore by a dolphin.
4. What do Mai’s tears become?
They turn into pearls, symbolising love and faith.
5. What moral does the story teach?
That love and belief can overcome despair.
6. Where does this folktale originate from?
Al Khor, Qatar, part of Gulf Arab folklore.
Source: Adapted from the Qatari folktale “Mai and Ghaylan” in Hazawy: Qatari Folklore Series, Qatar Museums / Enduring Tales: The Qatari Oral Tradition.
Cultural Origin: Qatar (Gulf Arab Folklore)
