A few years ago, it so happened that I found myself in the company of fully grown people and their young children. It was on a sailboat, and I suggested that the children be thrown overboard, and I suggested it in such a way that you could believe in the seriousness of my intentions. The children were a little scared, and I took advantage of the pause to tell them about the Baby Elephant. They listened without saying a word, and when I finished, they demanded more. Then I told them about the Cat that was walking by itself. 'More!' They shouted, and I decided to tell them about Suleiman—bin-Daoud and the Moth.…Then one mother told me: 'Would you like to translate these stories and write them down?'And I thought, why not?