Cinderella of the Nile: One Story, Many Voices Series

Product Information

But all they helped him get was a safe exit so that his son wouldn’t grow up with too-terrible memories. However, at the time, my mind was still travelling inside a bubble. It was a ‘European bubble’ in which most of the ideas, pictures and words were shaped in Europe. Today, there are many more books and stories that allow children to hear voices from around the world and that encourage them to move beyond a single story. In this story, ‘Cinderella’ is A girl named Rhodopis which comes from "rosy-cheeked" in Greek, she is celebrated for her beauty and like all good fairytale princesses, she is kind and gentle. She later gets captured, enslaved, and then sold off in Egypt. Rhodopis is bought by a Greek who takes pity on her and treats her as a daughter, the three Egyptian sisters who also serve as servants in his house (another feature of Cinderella) become jealous of Rhodopis and don’t treat her well. It is not until later that Cinderella and her prince come together. Before you start reading the story talk about the cover and title – what does your child think is happening in the illustration? Think about what they know already about the story of Cinderella and what the title might mean – explaining the Nile is a river in Egypt if children are unsure. Read aloud

Look, it's easy to see that Narriman's engagement wasn't going well—but the events that led to it ending? No one could have predicted those. Like something out of a fairy tale, teenage Narriman somehow ensnared the freaking King of Egypt. According to King Farouk, someone showed him a picture of Narriman and he was immediately smitten, specifically with her "gentle" and "friendly" eyes. One of the king’s stipulations for Narriman was decidedly unromantic. He wanted her to lose weight before the wedding. Her diet in Rome accordingly helped her achieve her fiancé's desired weight of 110lbs. Farouk, meanwhile, weighed around 300. Girls, take note: If he has issues with the way you look, just dump him. Even if he happens to be king. Narriman and the doctor simply couldn't see eye to eye. She would travel to faraway places like Switzerland, while he would file lawsuits demanding that she come home and behave like an "obedient" wife. At one point, Narriman made it clear that she wanted to split— only for her husband to publish their dirty laundry in a newspaper. He printed a notice declaring that he'd never submit to a divorce. Yikes.

6. She Faced Heartbreak

Although Adham was a good man, he found it wasn’t easy to live with a woman with so much emotional baggage. There are conflicting reports on why Narriman’s second marriage broke down. One of these is that she hadn’t left her taste for luxury behind and found it frustrating to live in a budget. But according to some sources, the real reason was much darker.

Narriman's father figured that the only way he could save his daughter from the marriage was by running away from Egypt with her. He went as far as booking a flight out of the country. However, his family and friends warned him not to invoke the king’s ire by carrying out the plan. The poor man had to suffer in silence. Then, in a heartbreaking turn of events, his health gave way soon after Farouk sent his proposal. You can’t blame a 16-year-old for being attracted to tall, dark, and handsome men rather than nerdy doctors—and Narriman was no different. She didn’t find her new beau attractive, specifically shading him for being short. In a salty dig, she referred to her betrothed as the “small Zaki Hashim” and compared him unfavorably to a “small school teacher.” However, there might have been another, more reasonable motive for herAfter living together for ten years, Narriman and her second husband Dr. Adham eventually decided there was no point in prolonging an unhappy marriage. Their differences had increased over time, and neither was happy with the other. They finalized the divorce agreement in 1964. Narriman's son stayed with his mother until he was legally old enough to live with his father. Cinderella of the Nile is a story that crosses ages – children across the primary age range will enjoy and become entranced by this timeless tale. I found myself staring at whitewashed bookshelves': Ruby Lovell on the importance of diverse reading In Cinderella of the Nile, I retell our earliest known version of the tale, recorded by ancient Greek historians. A girl called Rhodopis, in 6th century BC, is captured in northern Greece and sold into slavery. Herodotus writes about her friendship with a fellow slave Aesop in Samos. Unfortunately, when Narriman finally accepted an interview request, the journalist seemed much more interested in her ex-husband than Narriman herself. Eventually, the poor woman simply asked, “We have spoken much about King Farouk…What about Narriman?” Perhaps that sums her life best: People remembered her as Farouk’s second wife although she only lived two out of her 75 years in the world with him.

In this earliest known version of Cinderella, a rosy-cheeked girl called Rhodopis is captured in the mountains of Greece. She is sold in Samos, where wise storyteller Aesop befriends her. Unfortunately, the King didn't tell Narriman the truth about all those presents. You see, Farouk wasn't the best gambler. He was actually losing far more money than he was winning. If you’re thinking that the king doesn’t sound like the wisest, most responsible person you know, you’ve got it right. The storyteller Aesop is a significant character in the story. His tales armour Rhodopis with strength and courage to continue to be kind; have courage and be kind – immortalised words found in the well-known Cinderella fairy-tale version.

I wonder for whom this book might be appropriate. While, treasured for her beautiful red hair in the countries of Greece and Egypt is part of this oral tale, it is uncomfortable reading a story with detailed illustrations of slavery and the issues of her being prized for her bright red hair. Narriman was unable to be present in her sons’ lives in the traditional way, but she tried to be there for them as best she could. Prince Fuad admitted that he blamed her for leaving him in infancy, though he should have directed the blame to his father. Narriman came to see him when Farouk allowed her to. She was a part of his wedding too. Naturally Narriman had a wedding ceremony fit for a queen. The king’s forces marked the day with celebrations on ground, in air, and on sea. There were parades, fireworks, dances, and songs to make it an event to remember. A convoy of Cadillacs and Rolls-Royces brought the bride to the ceremony, traveling through heart-shaped pink neon arches, embellished with F & N for Farouk and Narriman. Cinderella has always been my favourite fairy tale and it is only recently that I have researched its origins to find the story started life in Egypt 3,500 years ago. The tale begins with Rhodopis, the beautiful main character and the Cinderella of the story, being stolen from her home country to be transported away and sold as a slave. Rhodopis, being parted from her family, is left extremely unhappy. During this lonely time, she befriends the local animals and another slave, Aesop, who is well respected by the master because of his mesmerizing storytelling. However, Rhodopis does not remain there but is sold on because she is never seen smiling when in the presence of her master. Her new master seems to favour Rhodopis meaning she is granted privileges as well as gifted with a pair of divine red slippers, stirring jealousy amongst the other slaves. One day when she is washing clothes down at the Nile, Horus the Falcon-God swoops down and steals one of her slippers. The slipper is later dropped and falls into the hands of Pharaoh Amasis. He begins the search to locate the owner of this mysterious slipper as believes that Horus has given him a sign. Many women gather to try on the slipper but none of them are a suitable match. Rhodopis, discovered hiding behind a bush after setting free a trapped kingfisher, catches the pharaoh's attention and is given the chance to try on her shoe which fits perfectly. Pharaoh Amasis falls in love with Rhodopis' kindness as well as her beauty. Despite their difference in status, Rhodopis is made queen and begins her life with the pharaoh.

Talk about parts of the story which are like other versions of Cinderella your child knows and parts which are different. Write a letter from Rhodipus to her parents telling them all that has happened to her including marrying the Pharaoh. Make a scrollFahmi didn’t wait too long to pop the question to Narriman. Perhaps because she thought he was different, or maybe she was lonely and wanted companionship, whatever the reason, she didn’t wait too long to accept either. The couple married quietly, with only family present, in 1967. Thankfully, it appears that for Narriman, the third time was the charm. Instead of repenting his past actions and appreciating Narriman for standing by him, Farouk continued his hedonistic lifestyle of splurging and womanizing all the time. But the worst part: He hurt his bride, both emotionally and physically, several times. After this, Narriman realized that nothing would change. The royal couple separated and soon, the young queen asked for a divorce. Re-told by award winning and influential children’s author Beverley Naidoo, this version of Cinderella supports learning around traditional tales. With clear links to ancient Greece and ancient Egypt, children will discover how one story can have many iterations around the world and throughout history. Alongside historical themes, the book could be used as a platform for discussions around human rights, enslavement and justice. Links and themes: Age 7- 10 In this beautifully illustrated retelling of one of the earliest versions of Cinderella a young girl from Ancient Greece, Rhodopis, is kidnapped and taken as a slave to the island of Samos. Here she makes friends with the famous storyteller Aesop and his stories help her remain strong and resilient when she is sold on to another owner in Egypt. She is treated kindly by her Egyptian master who favours her, even giving her a pair of red slippers. However three sisters, servants in the household are jealous and mean to her. Echoes of the European version of Cinderella continue with invitations to a feast from the Pharaoh, a missing slipper, a search for its owner and a poor girl becoming Queen. This story gives lots to talk about in the story and wonderful illustrations. Children will be able to make comparisons with the European version of the story and explore the references to Aesop and aspects of the Ancient Greece and Egypt world including slavery and Gods and Goddesses. Seeing her sing and dance to herself, Charaxos gifts Rhodopis a pair of delicate slippers for her feet, but one is stolen by the god Horus, in his form as a falcon. Horus drops the slipper in front of the Pharoah at his palace at Memphis, who takes it as a sign and decrees that the owner of the slipper must be found. In accordance with the familiar version of the tale, the Pharoah finds Rhodopis to be the owner of the slipper and marries her.