Half a Day

Naguib Mahfouz

I proceeded alongside my father, clutching his right hand, running to keep up with the long
strides he was taking. All my clothes were new: the black shoes, the green school uniform, and
the red tarboosh. My delight in my new clothes, however, was not altogether unmarred, for this
was no feast day but the day on which I was to be cast into school for the first time.
My mother stood at the window watching our progress, and I would turn toward her from time to
time, as though appealing for help. We walked along a street lined with gardens; on both sides
were extensive fields planted with crops, prickly pears, henna trees, and a few date palms.
"Why school?" I challenged my father openly. "I shall never do anything to annoy you."
"I'm not punishing you," he said, laughing. "School's not a punishment. It's the factory that
makes useful men out of boys. Don't you want to be like your father and brothers?"
I was not convinced. I did not believe there was really any good to be had in tearing me away
from the intimacy of my home and throwing me into this building that stood at the end of the
road like some huge, high-walled fortress, exceedingly stern and grim.
When we arrived at the gate we could see the courtyard, vast and crammed full of boys and girls.
"Go in by yourself," said my father, "and join them. Put a smile on your face and be a good
example to others."

I hesitated and clung to his hand, but he gently pushed me from him. "Be a man," he said.
"Today you truly begin life. You will find me waiting for you when it's time to leave."
I took a few steps, then stopped and looked but saw nothing. Then the faces of boys and girls
came into view. I did not know a single one of them, and none of them knew me. I felt I was a
stranger who had lost his way. But glances of curiosity were directed toward me, and one of the
boy approached and asked, "who brought you?"
"My father," I whispered.
"My father's dead," he said quite simply.
I did not know what to say. The gate was closed, letting out a pitiable screech. Some of the
children burst into tears. The bell rang. A lady came along, followed by a group of men. The men
began sorting us into ranks. We were formed into an intricate pattern in the great courtyard
surrounded on three sides by high buildings of several floors; from each floor we were
overlooked by a long balcony roofed in wood.
"This is your new home," said the woman. "Here too there are mothers and fathers. Here there is
everything that is enjoyable and beneficial to knowledge and religion. Dry your tears and face
life joyfully."
We submitted to the facts, and this submission brought a sort of contentment. Living beings were
drawn to other living beings, and from the first moments my heart made friends with such boys
as were to be my friends and fell in love with such girls as I was to be in love with, so that it
seemed my misgivings had no basis. I had never imagined school would have this rich variety.
We played all sorts of different games: swings, the vaulting horse, ball games. In the music room
we chanted our first songs. We also had our first introduction to language. We saw a globe of the
earth, which revolved and showed the various continents and countries. We started learning the
numbers. The story of the Creator of the universe was read to us, we were told of His present
world and of His Hereafter, and we heard examples of what He said. We ate delicious food, took
a little nap. and woke up to go on with friendship and love, play and learning.
As our path revealed itself to us, however, we did not find it as totally sweet and unclouded as
we had presumed. Dust laden wind and unexpected accidents came about suddenly, so we had to
be watchful, at the ready, and very patient. It was not all a matter of playing and fooling around.
Rivalries could bring about pain and hatred or give rise to fighting. And while the lady would
sometimes smile, she would often scowl and scold. Even more frequently she would resort to
physical punishment.
In addition, the time for changing one's mind was over and gone and there was no question of
ever returning to the paradise of home. Nothing lay ahead of us but exertion, struggle, and
perseverance. Those who were able took advantage of the of opportunities for success and
happiness that presented themselves amid the worries.
The bell rang announcing the passing of the day and the end of work. The throngs of children
rushed toward the gate, which was opened again. I bade farewell to friends and sweethearts and
passed through the gate. I peered around but found no trace of my father, who had promised to
be there. I stepped aside to wait. When I had waited for a long time without avail, I decided to
return home on my own. After I had taken a few steps, a middle aged man passed by, and I
realized at once that I knew him. He came toward me, smiling, and shook me by the hand,
saying: "It's a long time since we last met-how are you?" With a nod of my head, I agreed with
him and in turn asked,
"And you, how are you?" "As you can see, no all that good, the Almighty be praised!"
Again he shook me by the hand and went off. I proceeded a few steps, then came to a startled
halt. Good Lord! Where was the street lined with gardens? Where had it disappeared to? When
did all these vehicles invade it? And when did all these hordes of humanity come to rest upon its
surface? How did these hills of refuse come to cover its sides? And where were the fields that
bordered it? High buildings had taken over, the street surged with children, and disturbing noises
shook the air. At various points stood conjurers showing off their tricks and making snakes
appear from baskets. Then there was a band announcing the opening of a circus, with clowns and
weight lifters walking in front. A line of trucks carrying central security troops crawled
majestically by.