The Eightieth Birthday Present

Maryam lifted out the little piece from the middle of the star, and underneath was a narrow hollow. Inside, wrapped in an old piece of blue cloth, was a small wooden box no bigger than a hand.

She opened it with trembling hands.

Inside was real treasure... but not treasure made of gold.

There were five coloured glass marbles that glittered in the sunlight like sweets. There was a little wooden spinning top, its red paint faded. There was a cardboard crown, carefully folded. And there was an old black-and-white photograph of two laughing boys, each wearing a paper crown.

Ali pointed at one of them. "That's you, Grandpa! I recognise your ears!"

Grandpa laughed. "Yes. And the other boy... is Sami. The best friend I ever had."

Then he took a folded letter out of the box and read it aloud:

To my friend Sami: Tomorrow your family is moving to a faraway country. I've hidden our treasure here for you to find when you come back. Don't forget that we'll always be kings. Your friend, King Yousef.