The Shepherd

Once upon a time, there lived in Basra an old man whose only occupation was caring for and loving his only son who was a handsome young man. The old man invested all his money on his son's education. The young man went away for a few years and acquired an education at a well known university under the great scholars of that age.
The day had arrived for the son to return from his studies and the old man waited at the door for his son. When the son came and met his father, the old man looked into his eyes and felt great disappointment. "What have you learnt my son?" he asked, "I have learnt everything there was to be learnt, father", he said. "But have you learnt what cannot be taught?" asked the father. "Go, my son and learn what cannot be taught", said the old man.
The young man went back to his master and asked him to teach him what cannot be taught. "Go away to the mountains with these four hundred sheep and come back when they are one thousand", said the master.
The young man went to the mountains and became a shepherd. There for the first time he encountered a silence. He had no one to talk to. The sheep did not understand his language. In his desperation, he would talk to them but they would look back at him as if to say he was stupid. Slowly but surely he began to forget all his worldly knowledge, his ego, his pride and he became quiet like the sheep and great wisdom and humility came to him.
At the end of two years when the number of sheep had grown to one thousand, he returned to his master and fell on his feet. "Now you have learnt what cannot be taught," said the master.

Note: It is interesting to note that the prophets of Allah (SWT) at some time in their lives, generally before Nubuwwat (Prophethood), tended to sheep and other such animals.

Man is the only creature that refuses to be what he is. - Albert Camus
Monkeys are superior to men in this: When a monkey looks into a mirror, he sees a monkey. - Malcolm de Chazal

Moth Orchids

The most common type of orchid is probably the moth orchid, or the Phalaenopsis orchids. These are the plants that you can buy from a standard grocery store. Or if you happen to live close by an Asian supermarket, you will find truck-loads of the white or purplish-pink variety. Some fashion/interior designers even dubbed this purplish-pink color as “orchid.” (This is ultra confusing for an orchid grower, as orchids come in a million different shades and colors, but well, these are the same people who invented colors like sour lemon and spiced mustard. It’s just all marketing!)

In the wild, Phalaenopsis are epiphytes and grow on trees in a constantly moist environment. They usually have long flower spikes and therefore look very graceful. These types of flowers have the power to add elegance to the home and brighten up a dull atmosphere, even if your boyfriend leaves his socks on the floor. Phalaenopsis are now widely grown as houseplants. Even though they usually bloom only once or twice a year, their flowers can often last for two to three months.

Types of medicines for children

Medicines for children come in different forms. Tablets, caplets and liquid medicines are given orally (by mouth). There are medicines that are used in the eye, ear or nose, and inhalers for asthma medicines. Other medicines, such as suppositories or enemas, are given rectally (in the back passage, or bottom).

Asthma inhalers

There are many types of inhalers. Our leaflet gives information about using an aerosol inhaler with a 'spacer' device and a dry-powder inhaler. If you are not sure whether you are using the inhaler properly, or need help, contact your asthma nurse or pharmacist, who will be able to show you or check what you are doing.

Capsules

Capsules are given by mouth (orally). Most must be swallowed whole, but some may be chewed, or opened and then the contents sprinkled in food. Find out how to give the type of capsule you have for your child.

Ear drops

Medicines for the ear are available as ear drops. You will need to wash your hands before and after giving the ear drops, and you may need help from another adult.

Eye drops

Use eye drops only in your child’s infected eye, unless your doctor has told you to treat both eyes. Wash your hands before and after giving the drops. You may need help from another adult.

Eye ointment

If you need to give eye ointment, use only in your child’s infected eye, unless your doctor has told you to treat both eyes. Wash your hands before and after giving the ointment. You may need help from another adult.

Granules or powder

Some medicines come as granules or as powder, and are given by mouth (orally). They can usually be mixed in with a small amount of food, or in water or juice.

Liquid medicine (using an oral syringe with a ‘bung’, or medicine spoon)

You can measure out the right amount of liquid medicine using an oral syringe or a medicine spoon. Many bottles of liquid medicine come with a ‘bung’ to help you draw up the medicine into the oral syringe. You can get all of these from your pharmacist. Do not use a kitchen teaspoon as it will not give the right amount.

Liquid medicine (using an oral syringe without a ‘bung’)

Some bottles of liquid medicine do not come with a ‘bung’, but you can still measure out the right amount of liquid medicine with an oral syringe.

Nasal spray

Some medicines come as a nasal spray and need to be sprayed into your child's nostril or nostrils. Most nasal sprays work by pressing them between your finger and thumb to produce a spray. Your child should tilt their head forward slightly when taking the spray.

Rectal medicines (suppositories and enemas)

Rectal medicines have to be administered through the anus into the rectum (back passage, or bottom). They must not be taken by mouth. Types of rectal medicines include suppositories, foam enemas and liquid enemas.

Tablets

Tablets are given by mouth (orally). Depending on the type of tablet, they can be swallowed or chewed, dissolved in water or juice, put on the tongue, or mixed with a small amount of food.
Make sure you know which type of tablet you have.

A call for unity - 2