This fresh prose translation of 105 short teaching stories by Rumi, which form the core of the six-volume Masnavi, explores the hidden spiritual aspects of everyday experience. Rumi transforms the seemingly mundane events of daily life into profound Sufi teaching moments. These prose gems open the mystical portal to the world of the ancient mystic.

These stories include well-known and popular tales such as "Angel of Death," "The Sufi and His Cheating Wife," "Moses and the Shepherd," "Chickpeas," and "The Greek and Chinese Painters" as well as the less commonly quoted parables: "The Basket Weaver," "The Mud Eater," and "A Sackful of Pebbles."

Rumi's voice alternates between playful and authoritative, whether he is telling stories of ordinary lives or inviting the discerning reader to higher levels of introspection and attainment of transcendent values. Mafi's translations delicately reflect the nuances of Rumi's poetry while retaining the positive tone of all of Rumi's writings, as well as the sense of suspense and drama that mark the essence of the Masnavi.

When she was a baby, Cairo was found in a trunk by Agatha Mulch, a mean, thieving auctioneer. Now twelve years old, Cairo is desperate to escape Agatha’s cruelty and find her real parents. She runs away and joins a group who are hunting for the golden scarabs. If she helps them track down the treasure, Cairo could finally discover the truth about her family.?

But there are others searching for the scarabs and unless Cairo faces her fears, learns who to trust, and finds the scarabs first, she might never unlock the mystery of her past.

The Trunk of Stars is the first novel in the Stolen Treasures series for readers aged nine to twelve. If you like Lemony Snicket and The Mysterious Benedict Society, you’ll love this action-packed adventure by Susie Dinneen.?

Start reading today to see if Cairo can unravel the mystery.

It is no secret that Alcott based Little Women on her own early life. While her father, the freethinking reformer and abolitionist Bronson Alcott, hobnobbed with such eminent male authors as Emerson, Thoreau, and Hawthorne, Louisa supported herself and her sisters with "woman’s work,” including sewing, doing laundry, and acting as a domestic servant. But she soon discovered she could make more money writing. Little Women brought her lasting fame and fortune, and far from being the "girl’s book” her publisher requested, it explores such timeless themes as love and death, war and peace, the conflict between personal ambition and family responsibilities, and the clash of cultures between Europe and America.

In The Wedding, Max gets dumped from being the pageboy at his uncle’s wedding. A five year old takes his place. Max isn’t happy and he knows who is to blame. His evil aunt.

Max wants revenge. Not just any revenge; but clever, satisfying revenge.

Will he get his chance before the wedding is over?

In Dog Food Stew, Max uncovers his aunt’s evil plan to sell his nanna’s house. But Max has a plan of his own.

Will he stop his nanna’s house from being sold and get revenge on his evil aunt?

Revenge can be sweet, but it can also leave a funny taste.