Ask the Bones Read Online Free PDF

and took the killer off to jail.
    And where was the jail? Right beside the graveyard.
    The man never saw the little black dog again. But it haunted him for the rest of his life. Whenever he fell asleep at night, he was awakened by the overpowering smell of wet dog.

Beginning with the Ears
    â€¢ A Tale from lraq •

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    T here once was a man named Abdu who had trouble finding work. He was very poor, and his wife and children were always hungry.
    In desperation, Abdu left the town where he lived to see if he could earn a few coins in the countryside. But no matter how far he walked, he found no one who needed his help. By afternoon, he was weak and tired, for he had not had a bite to eat all day.
    Suddenly he saw an old woman coming toward him. She was bent and wrinkled and wore a flowered kerchief over her hair. “Where are you going?” she asked.
    â€œWho knows,” he cried. “I must wander from place to place until I earn enough to support my wife and children.”
    â€œDo not despair,” she said. “Bring your family to live with me, Abdu, and we will share my wealth.”
    Abdu was amazed. “Who are you?” he asked. “And how do you know my name?”
    â€œI’m your cousin,” she replied. “I’m old and alone and would like your company. If you and your family live with me, no one will have to go hungry.”
    Abdu could hardly believe his ears, and hope began to grow in his heart. He felt strong again, and he ran home to tell his wife and children all that he had heard. They were delighted to learn of their long-lost cousin.
    That very evening they left town and walked out to meet the old woman, who was waiting for them in the middle of the road.
    She took them home and let them eat to their hearts’ content. “And soon you shall have milk to drink,” she told them. She picked up a pail and went out to the barn.
    Abdu’s wife followed to see if she could help with the milking, but as she approached the barn, she overheard the old woman talking to her cow. “Tomorrow I shall eat my guests,” she said.
    The cow mooed as if to say, “No, no, no!” And Abdu’s wife rushed back to the house to warn her husband.
    â€œWe must leave at once,” she cried. “The old woman told the cow she is planning to eat us tomorrow!”
    Abdu was angry. “You didn’t hear right,” he said. “Look how kind and generous she has been.”

    Abdu’s wife finally agreed to stay, but she was too frightened to sleep all night.
    The next morning, Abdu’s wife again followed the old woman out to the barn. Again she overheard what the old woman said. “Ah, today I shall eat my guests!” And again the cow mooed as if to say, “No, no, no!”
    Abdu’s wife ran back to the house as fast as she could. “We can’t stay here a moment longer. The old woman is planning to eat us today!” she cried. But still Abdu refused to listen.
    â€œIs there something wrong with your ears?” she shouted. “Stay if you like, but I am taking the children back home.” And that is exactly what she did.
    When the old woman returned from the barn and saw that only Abdu was left, she decided to eat him right away. She blocked the doorway and screeched at him, “I’m not your cousin!” Her back straightened, her wrinkles faded away, and her kerchief fell off, revealing long, dark hair. “I am a witch,” she said, “who likes nothing better than eating the fools who come to live in my house!
    â€œTell me,” she asked, “which part of your body should I eat first?” She pulled a metal file from her pocket and began to sharpen her teeth.
    Abdu was trembling from head to toe. He realized he was trapped and there was nothing he could do.
    â€œMy wife warned me,” he said, “but I would not listen. So begin with my ears.”

Fiddling with