The Little Lantern

جَاءَ شَهْرُ رَمَضَانَ، وَزَيَّنَ أَحْمَدُ الْمَنْزِلَ.

jaa'a shahru ramaDaana, wa zayyana aHmadu-l-manzil.

The month of Ramadan came, and Ahmad decorated the house.

عَلَّقَ فَانُوساً صَغِيراً عَلَى الْبَابِ.

'allaqa faanuusan Saghiiran 'ala-l-baab.

He hung a little lantern on the door.

قَالَتِ الْجَدَّةُ: الْفَانُوسُ يُضِيءُ الطَّرِيقَ لِلضُّيُوفِ.

qaalati-l-jaddatu:-l-faanuusu yuDii'u-T-Tariiqa li-D-Duyuuf.

Grandma said: the lantern lights the way for our guests.

صَنَعَتِ الْأُمُّ قَطَايِفَ لَذِيذَةً فِي الْمَطْبَخِ.

sana'ati-l-ummu qaTaayifa ladhiidatan fi-l-maTbakh.

Mother made delicious qatayef in the kitchen.

طَرَقَ الضُّيُوفُ الْبَابَ، فَرِحَ أَحْمَدُ وَرَكَضَ إِلَيْهِمْ.

Taraqa-D-Duyuufu-l-baaba, faRiHa aHmadu wa rakada ilayhim.

The guests knocked on the door, and Ahmad ran to them, delighted.

جَلَسَ الْعَائِلَةُ وَالضُّيُوفُ عَلَى مَائِدَةٍ وَاسِعَةٍ.

jalasa-l-'aa'ilatu wa-D-Duyuufu 'alaa maa'idatin waasi'a.

The family and the guests sat at a wide table.

شَارَكَ أَحْمَدُ الْقَطَايِفَ مَعَ صَدِيقِهِ.

shaaraka aHmadu-l-qaTaayifa ma'a Sadiiqih.

Ahmad shared the qatayef with his friend.

قَالَتِ الْجَدَّةُ: أَلْذُّ طَعَامٍ هُوَ الَّذِي نُشَارِكُهُ.

qaalati-l-jaddatu: adhdhu Ta'aamin huwa-l-ladhii nushaarikuh.

Grandma said: the tastiest food is the food we share.