24-24
Abdul ran home from school
almost as fast as on the day
his sister Seri had been born.
As soon as he saw her in the
courtyard, his eyes lit up, for
although Abdul was already 8
years old, he loved to play with
his little sister.
Seri was only one and a half
years old. She would clap her
hands in delight when he made
funny faces at her, or giggle
when he counted her toes. He
had helped her with her first
steps, picking her up gently when
she tumbled.
*Note: This story and its pictures are
reproduced with permission from John
Rohde, M.D. This or similar stories
should be adapted to fit the situation
and language of children in your area.
But what was wrong today?
Usually Seri toddled straight
for her favorite Abdul with her
arms outstretched. But now she
just sat on the porch and gazed
at him with dull eyes. Quickly
he lifted her up to his hip. He
noticed that she must not have
had her usual bath before he
came home, because she had an
unpleasant smell about her.
Their grandma greeted him
with a tired voice. Worried,
Abdul asked her, “Is Seri sick?
Why does she act like this?”
“She’s had several watery bowel
movements today,” answered
Grandma, “and she’s been very
fussy, Abdul. You must not let
her have any food or drink so that
the diarrhea will stop and she will
get better.”