Abdullah's butterfly - Janine M Fraser

An exquisite story about different values in life.

Abdullah's village in Malaysia is high on the edge of a mountain. He lives with his mother and grandfather, who is the best weaver in the village. Abdullah's grandfather likes to eat porridge because his teeth have gone, but there is no money for porridge unless Abdullah can catch and sell a beautiful butterfly to the Craft Centre. A tourist sees Abdullah trying to catch the butterfly and stops him, saying it's cruel to sell them to the Craft Shop. But when she hears Abdullah's story she is filled with humility as she sees the simplicity of Abdullah's life. She respects it for what it is.