In the heart of a small, sun-soaked village nestled between the golden dunes of the desert, a boy named Khalid lived with his loving mother, Aisha. Khalid was born with only one leg and one arm, but his kind heart and unwavering determination knew no bounds. He spent his days working tirelessly to provide for his mother, ensuring there was always food on the table. The villagers admired Khalid for his kindness and willingness to help others, but many still looked down on him due to his physical appearance. Deep down, Khalid longed to be seen as a normal young man, just like everyone else.
The first rays of sunlight spilled over the horizon as Khalid awoke to the sound of roosters crowing. He pulled himself out of bed and began his morning routine, tending to the small garden outside their humble home. As he watered the plants, he glanced over at his mother, who was preparing breakfast. Aisha's face was etched with the lines of hardship, but her eyes sparkled with love and pride whenever she looked at her son.
Just as Khalid finished watering the plants, the peace of the village was shattered by a sudden commotion. A group of traders and their heavily armed guards had arrived, intending to take villagers as slaves. Chaos erupted as the guards stormed through the narrow streets, burning houses and small shops indiscriminately. They used brute force to subdue the villagers, showing no mercy.
Khalid's heart raced as he instinctively knew his mother was in danger. He abandoned the small garden and sprinted towards their home, his heart pounding in his chest. When he arrived, he frantically searched for his mother, but she was nowhere to be found. Desperation fueled his movements as he darted through the village, calling out her name.
As he turned a corner, Khalid spotted an old man being viciously attacked by one of the guards. The old man's house was already engulfed in flames. Without a moment's hesitation, Khalid leaped into action, using all his strength to tackle the guard to the ground. Despite having only one arm and one leg, Khalid's courage and determination made him a force to be reckoned with.
The guard, furious and humiliated, called over two of his companions. Khalid tried to fight them off, but they quickly overpowered him, grabbing hold of his limbs and pinning him down. The first guard, still seething with rage, grabbed a wooden stick and thrust it into the fire until it was ablaze. He approached Khalid, a sinister grin spreading across his face.
"This is what you deserve, hero," he sneered, pressing the burning stick against Khalid's face.
Khalid screamed in agony as the flames licked at his skin. The pain was unbearable. As the smell of charred flesh filled the air, Khalid's eyes met the horrified gaze of the old man he had just saved. In that moment, Khalid vowed that he would not let these ruthless traders and their guards destroy the village he loved so dearly. No matter the cost.
The air was thick with tension as Khalid braced himself for another searing touch of the burning stick. Suddenly, a commanding voice echoed through the chaotic scene, "Obaid! Stop right there!" The voice belonged to one of the traders who had been overseeing the cruel actions of the guards.
Obaid, the guard who was torturing Khalid, paused and looked up at the trader, irritation flashing across his face. "Sir, this guy is fighting us!" Obaid spat, gesturing at Khalid with disdain.
The trader scrutinized Khalid from a distance, taking in his one arm and one leg with a mixture of curiosity and pity. He then turned his gaze back to Obaid and scoffed, "This half-man is causing problems for you? I expected more from my guards."
The other two guards released their grip on Khalid, exchanging uneasy glances. Obaid hesitated, his face flushed with humiliation, and reluctantly dropped the burning stick. The flames flickered and died as it hit the dusty ground, leaving a trail of smoke in its wake.
The trader remained where he was, never breaking eye contact with Obaid as he spoke. "It seems this one-armed, one-legged young man managed to stand up to my men, despite his limitations. He might be useful to me."
Obaid scoffed, "This one is not even a full guy."
The trader raised an eyebrow and challenged Obaid, "Then tell me, why is he causing trouble for you?"
Obaid fell silent, glaring at Khalid with anger and resentment. The trader turned to his guards and ordered them to gather the slaves and move out. The villagers would be spared, but Khalid's fate was now uncertain.
As the trader's entourage began to move, Khalid was roughly hauled to his feet and forced to follow them. He looked back one last time at his village, hoping that his mother and the others would be safe. His heart was heavy with a mixture of fear and determination. He knew that he had been given an opportunity to prove himself, as a resourceful and resilient individual who could overcome his limitations.