Naguib Mahfouz's Half a Day

The First Day of School

• The narrator, a young boy, is accompanying his father to school for the first time, feeling anxious and uncertain about leaving his home.
• He is dressed in new clothes, including black shoes, a green school uniform, and a red tarboosh.
• The father reassures the boy that school is not a punishment, but a place where he can learn and become a useful man like his father and brothers.

The School Environment

• The school is located at the end of the road and appears as a large, high-walled fortress.
• The courtyard is vast and filled with boys and girls.
• The narrator feels like a stranger and is initially hesitant to join the other children.

Meeting New People

• The narrator meets a boy who asks who brought him to school, and the boy reveals that his father is dead.
• The narrator does not know how to respond and feels like an outsider.
• A lady, accompanied by a group of men, sorts the children into ranks and welcomes them to their new home.

School Activities

• The children play various games, including swings, vaulting horse, and ball games.
• They have their first music lesson and learn to chant songs.
• They are introduced to language and learn about the numbers.
• They are taught about the Creator of the universe and hear stories about His world and the Hereafter.

Challenges and Lessons

• As the day progresses, the children face unexpected challenges and learn to be patient and watchful.
• Rivalries and conflicts arise, and the children learn to deal with pain and hatred.
• The lady, who is likely a teacher, occasionally smiles and offers reassurance.