This document provides a summary of the book "SAARC Kahani" by Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui. It summarizes that the book contains stories from each of the SAARC countries that not only entertain but also impart social and religious insights into each society. Each story conveys important messages or lessons. For example, one story suggests that living in discord can lead to ruin, while another promotes the message that planning is important. The reviewer praises the book for being the first to feature stories from all SAARC nations and for using the stories to provide glimpses into each society beyond just being mere tales. He notes the book is divided into sections for different age groups and finds the second part of the book particularly

1. SAARC Kahani A Real Thought-provoking book
Book review by Dr. Syed Amjed Ali Jafri
Name of the book: SAARC Kahani (Tales of SAARC Children)
Name of the author/compiler: Sohail Ahmed Siddiqui
Name of the publisher: Canopus publication, University Road, Karachi. Pakistan 75270
The author of book is a multidimensional personality. He is an established author, poet, column
writer, sport writer and an intellectual. Pages 172 to 176 of this book are testimony of it.
This is the first and a unique book on this topic among SAARC counties; not only in SAARC
counties, perhaps to the best of my knowledge, in NONE of the socio-political unions of other
countries has such a literature on SAARC been published. In this book one can read famous
writers of SAAARC such as Ahmad Sa’di, Ishtiaq Ahmad, Dr. Jameel Jalibi, Saqiba,
Raheemuddin, Dr.Tahira Naiyer and Naseem Achakzai, besides Sohail Amed Siddiqui.
Another unique feature of this book is that stories are not mere stories, but one can know the
social, as well as, religious environment of different SAARC countries, through these stories. For
example, the stories of Bangladesh are based on reality of life and stir the thinking process and
force the reader to ponder about our behavior for a positive change.
The title cover of the 176 paged book SAARC Kahani is an eye-catching. The book was printed
on glossy paper and is divided into two portions, i.e. one for small children and other for
children, entering adolescence. The first portion includes five stories from Pakistan, four
stories from India, two s from Bangladesh, one each from Sri Lanka, Nepal, Maldives, Bhutan
and Afghanistan. Its second portion contains masterpieces of stories from Pakistan, India,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan.
One feels the all the writers had in the back of their mind that sincere reader would correct the
weakness of his/her behaviour by reading and then acting upon the message, e.g. the message in
the first story is that if we live in an atmosphere of unresolved discord, then, inhalation is not far
away.
The message of the second story pertaining to fox is that “Stitch in time saves nine”. If one fails
to implement well thought, solid planning, then one suffers and may lose her/his life, too.
The message of the third story “Darya par” pretending what you are not and being proud of are
two bad virtues of a man that lead her/him to nowhere .Thus, one becomes rude in life.

2. The message of the fourth story cage is that the benefits of trusted mutual friendship result in
happiness and instead of living in isolation, enjoying in a free environment.
The lesson of the fifth story is that it is difficult to tame unstable nature of creatures like duck.
The sixth story “Dhoka-baaz Shauhar” is about a faithful wife who tolerates each and every bad
habit, even lies of her husband with a hope that one day she would be able to change him.
My experience is that today’s child is more realistic and does not like euphoric situation, even in
a story, but, the seventh and eighth stories are based on euphoric ideas.
The messages of the rest of the stories are:
1. Only buy and keep article, things which fulfill your need. However, if others’ goods look
beautiful or precious to you, believe it they were bought for their needs and were useful to them
only.
2. No doubt that might is right but sound planning and its execution helps in defeating and ardent
foe too.
3. Today’s lacunae in planning create problems for executer and future planners.
4. A simpleton can easily be fooled.
5. In today’s world mostly people look for their personal gains and benefits they do not care for
collective benefits or taking care of others.
6. Defeat a powerful enemy by wisdom, not by emotions.
7. Almighty Allah Hath said that He Hath given wisdom and intellect to every creature, but,
human being does not understand it. Knocking door by cows during hunger it is a real story
reflection of that relevant verse.
8. Unless and until one tells about her/his problems, others cannot solve through appropriate
measure. By telling one's grieves to the concerned, other one feels light mentally.
9. Charity under duress may give fame and reputation, but it does not give satisfaction.
10. Unfinished Drama is a test of intelligence.
11. Leader of fools can be a fool.
12. Trees speak is a true story.
Part two of this book is more interesting; one likes to read it aging and again.

3. Reviewer’s email: amjedjafri@yahoo.com