In one of the harshest places in the world, there was a girl named Batool, 14 years old.
She stood among piles of rubble and destruction, where nothing existed except the smell of death spreading everywhere.
The little girl began to wonder how she would live and how she would face this painful reality.
Sleep overcame her… and she saw herself searching for a city that would restore her lost childhood.
The innocent girl walked along a long, rugged path to find what her heart longed for.
As she searched and explored, she found a large gate.
She entered it and suddenly found herself on a wide and beautiful street, full of trees, flowers, colorful birds, fresh air, and shining sunlight.
At the end of the street stood a large, beautiful house with a green yard in front of it.
The little girl entered the house and wandered through its rooms.
Then she went to the bedroom and lay on a soft pink bed.
It was her first peaceful night—without fear, terror, or the sound of bombings.
That night she felt as if she were in paradise, overwhelmed by safety.
The next morning, Batool said to herself:
“I will go explore this magical, beautiful city.”
She left the house and walked through its streets.
She saw a big school with safe open spaces, wide playgrounds, children her age, and skilled teachers.
She spent a wonderful time there.
On her way back home, she saw a large hospital where people received treatment with dignity.
She also saw tall buildings that looked like skyscrapers, apartment blocks, cars, markets for shopping, and places for entertainment.
Then she returned home feeling very happy.
Batool sat looking up at the sky and saw an airplane carrying people to different parts of the world.
While she was looking up, someone knocked on the door.
Batool opened it—and there stood a man offering her a bouquet of flowers and a schoolbag.
He said to her:
“Welcome… you are in Gaza.”
Batool said to herself:
“I will call my parents so they and my siblings can come live with me here… in the Gaza I always dreamed of.”
At that moment, Batool woke up from her sleep…
wishing it had all been real, not just a dream.
The City I Dream Of مدينتي التي أحلم بها
First Name: Batool
Age: 14
Country: Palestine
Type: Poems and Short Stories
These artistic works were developed within the framework of the Child Protection Area of Responsibility (CP AoR) initiative “Gaza We Want.” The initiative supports children and young people in expressing their hopes, experiences, and visions for a peaceful future through creative and artistic mediums.