Today, I went to the zoo. I went by myself because I wanted to take many photos to show and tell stories about them to the children at my daycare.
But on the way, I met three young boys. They immediately said, “Ma’am, I see you’re alone and wearing a hijab. I know you must be Muslim.”
I replied, “Yes, I’m Muslim. Why?”
One of the boys said, “Ramadan Mubarak, I’m from Pakistan.” Another one added, “I’m from Milan. I like Palestine, I like Israel. Ma’am, do you like Palestine or Israel?” I answered, “Palestine. Why are you asking me this kind of question?”
The boy from Milan then said, “Oh, this is my friend from Israel.” Finally, the last young man said, “Hi ma’am, I’m from Israel. Look at my head, do you know it?”
I replied, “Yeah, I know. You’re Jewish, right?”
The boy from Israel asked me again, “Why don’t you like Israel? Do I look rude to you?”
I answered, “Oh, it’s okay if you’re from Israel. You did nothing to me. Rude? No, I don’t think so.”
Then the boy from Israel said, “I see. I just want to know about Muslims here. Where are you from? Why are you brave enough to wear a hijab alone in the central area?”
I jokingly replied, “I’m not afraid to wear my hijab alone, but I’m more afraid of the dogs here.”















