Overheard in the courtyard of a very ancient apartment block in Cairo

by Kat Beyer

“Hassan, change your sister back right this minute. I mean it.”

“But Mama,–”

“Hassan Ibn Sina, change your sister back or I will make you sorry you ever came out of the womb, so help me Almighty. Don’t give me that look.”

“But Mama, she likes being a butterfly.”

“I don’t care whether she wants to be a butterfly for the rest of her life. You change her back this instant, do you hear? She can be a butterfly all she wants when she’s old enough to do it herself. For now, she has to be a little girl and eat her supper. And you, you will not get any supper at all if you do not do as I say. What, do you want me to change you too? Because I guarantee you, I’m angry enough right now, I’ll change you into a dog turd in the street.”