by Thomas Goodrum

Created on: June 30, 2007

"Absolute Loyalty"

In the distance there were explosions. From the rooftop of his house he could see dark smoke billowing through the crimson haze of the city. Next he saw flames. Part of the city was ablaze. From the minaret of a nearby mosque could be heard the "Call to Prayers." This was his home. This was 1948. This was Cairo.

Mohammad, a Sudanese, translated what was being said on the radio. People were rioting. Stores were being ransacked and torched. The American flag was being torn apart, and then set afire. People were being crushed in the mayhem. Three foreigners were killed in a restaurant.

His father was in Paris on business. He along with his mother and brother were safe, yet the three of them slept together in one bed. Mohammad, their trusted Sudanese friend, had said, "Tonight, I shall sleep in front of your bedroom door."

Going to bed, they said their Christian prayers. They were certain that Mohammad said his Islamic prayers. All were scared.

Learn more about this author, Thomas Goodrum.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.