The Thirsty Dog
A thirsty traveller climbs down a well twice to save a dying dog, and Allah forgives him, in an audiobook inspired by a hadith for children aged 7 to 12.
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What is The Thirsty Dog about?
The Thirsty Dog is an Islamic audiobook for children aged 7 to 12, inspired by a story the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ told his companions, about a man who saves a dying dog and is forgiven by Allah.
A man, whom the story calls Selim, is crossing a burning desert with no shade and no water. His lips are cracked and his throat is dry, and he prays that he will find water soon. At last he sees a well, but there is no bucket and no rope. So he takes off his shoes and climbs down the slippery, sharp walls to the bottom, where he drinks and drinks, then makes the long, frightening climb back up, thanking Allah.
As he sets off again, he finds a thin brown dog licking the dry ground in search of water. The dog is as thirsty as he was, and too weak to follow him. Selim has nothing to carry water in, until he looks at his shoes. He climbs down again, fills a shoe, nearly loses it in the water, and climbs back up holding it in his teeth. At first the dog does not move, but drop by drop Selim brings it back to life.
Allah is pleased with Selim for helping the dog and forgives him. In the story, the two become best friends and walk on together to a green land with a stream.
Read by Paul Panting in two parts, the story lasts about 15 minutes. It is music-free and a Miraj original. The desert, the well and the climbs are told in vivid detail, which suits older children.
What your child will learn
- Allah loves kindness to animals, and He forgave a man for giving water to a thirsty dog.
- A good deed that seems small can be great in Allah's sight.
- When we know how hard something feels, we should help others who feel the same.
- We can call on Allah when we are in need, and thank Him when He helps us.
Chapters
- Part 1
- Part 2
Where this audiobook comes from
- Sahih al-Bukhari 2363: The Prophet ﷺ told of a thirsty man who went down a well to drink, then saw a dog panting from thirst, went down again, filled his shoe with water and gave it to the dog. Allah thanked him and forgave him, and the Prophet ﷺ said there is a reward for serving any living creature.
Talk about it afterwards
- Why did Selim go back down the well a second time?
- How did he carry the water up to the dog?
- How do you think Selim felt when the dog's tail began to move?
- What can you do to help an animal that is thirsty or hungry?
Frequently asked questions
Is The Thirsty Dog based on a hadith?
Yes. It retells a story the Prophet ﷺ told, reported in Sahih al-Bukhari, of a man whom Allah forgave for giving water to a thirsty dog. The man's name and the journey after the well are the story's own.
What age is The Thirsty Dog suitable for?
Children aged 7 to 12. It is long and tense in places, as the man nearly falls and the dog nearly dies, but it ends happily.
How long is The Thirsty Dog?
About 15 minutes, in two parts. It is music-free.
