An Adventure in Ismailia: The Secret of the Hidden River

 

A short fairy tale

 An Adventure in Ismailia: The Secret of the Hidden River

By Essam Elsayed Shehata 🇪🇬

In the old quarters of Ismailia, where the Nile meets the tranquil canal, lived Ahmed, a young engineer working on development projects. Ahmed always dreamed of a real adventure, far removed from the daily grind. One cold autumn night, he found an old map lying in the city market, drawn in cryptic handwriting, describing a "hidden river" beneath Ismailia, filled with lost Pharaonic treasures.

Ahmed didn't hesitate. He took his lamp and his old friend, Ali the farmer, and they headed towards the eastern bridge. The wind whispered secrets of history, and the stars lit the way. When they reached the sand dunes, they discovered a secret entrance behind a giant rock. "This is impossible!" Ali exclaimed, but Ahmed pushed open the stone door, and a tunnel opened, leading to another world.

Inside the tunnel, the walls were adorned with images of pharaohs carrying gold and statues of Nile gods. They heard strange sounds, like the whispers of flowing water. Suddenly, a vast chamber appeared before them, filled with golden chests and precious stones that glittered under the light of fantastical torches. But their joy was short-lived; a legendary guardian, the ghost of an ancient priest, rose to protect the treasures!

"Who are you to steal the Pharaohs' legacy?" the ghost roared, its voice shaking the walls. Ahmed, with his characteristic wit, recalled a story from the history books: the priest loved riddles. "If you are a true guardian, answer: what runs but doesn't walk, cries but doesn't laugh?" Ahmed asked. The ghost hesitated, then smiled: "The river!" and vanished into the darkness.

Ahmed and Ali returned with a small treasure – a small statue of Isis – to donate to the Ismailia Museum. They became local heroes, and the story spread through the cafes: "The hidden river still awaits brave adventurers."