Hello my loves,
I hope you enjoy this fun short story, inspired by an article I read recently in The New York Times.
The desert sun blazed over the sprawling grounds of the King Abdulaziz Camel Festival, the air filled with the earthy scent of sand and the soft grunts of camels awaiting their moment of glory. In the corner of the staging area, Farah Al-Haddad paced nervously beside her prized camel, Noura.
Noura was no ordinary camel. Her eyelashes could sweep the desert dunes, her hump was as smooth and perfectly rounded as a golden dune at sunrise, and her lips—well, Farah had always thought they were lovely enough.
But “enough” didn’t cut it in the world of competitive camel beauty. Not when rival breeders were rumored to be smuggling in vials of Botox disguised as camel milk.
“I told you, Noura,” Farah whispered, adjusting her camel’s silk shawl adorned with glittering crystals. “We’re going to do this the right way. Natural beauty is beauty.”
Noura huffed, swatting a fly with her tasseled tail. She didn’t care for gossip or Botox scandals. She only cared about the platter of dates promised after the contest.
The tension in the air was palpable as the judges, dressed in pristine white thobes, strode into the arena. The whispers among the breeders grew louder.
“Did you hear about the disqualifications?” one breeder hissed. “Twelve camels kicked out already for fake humps and Botox lips!”
Farah raised an eyebrow. “Fake humps? Who even thinks of that?”
Before anyone could answer, a commotion erupted near the inspection tent. A tall, sleek camel named Aziza was being led away in disgrace, her pouting lips and suspiciously taut forehead betraying her.
The crowd gasped. Aziza’s breeder, a man with a finely oiled mustache, protested loudly. “She’s just naturally gifted! Those lips? Born that way!”
A judge held up a small syringe confiscated from the breeder’s bag. The crowd erupted in laughter, and Aziza stomped indignantly as she was escorted out.
Noura nudged Farah with her nose, as if to say, See? Honesty pays.
When it was their turn, Farah led Noura proudly into the arena. The judges circled her, murmuring appreciatively.
“Look at that natural curve in her hump,” one said.
“And those lashes—absolutely no extensions,” another chimed in.
Finally, the head judge approached. He peered into Noura’s large, soulful eyes, inspected her glossy coat, and gave a satisfied nod.
“This,” he declared, “is natural beauty at its finest.”
Farah beamed as cheers erupted from the crowd. Noura let out a victorious grunt, her tail swishing proudly.
Later, as the festival wrapped up, Farah treated Noura to her promised platter of dates. “You see, Noura?” she said, stroking her camel’s neck. “Integrity wins in the end.”
Noura chewed contentedly, her eyes glinting with wisdom. She didn’t need Botox. She didn’t need fake humps. She was a queen of the desert, and everyone knew it.
And as the sun set over the golden sands, Farah and Noura walked off into the horizon, ready to conquer next year’s competition—with nothing but honesty, grace, and a dazzling set of natural lashes.
*** THE END ***
THE SHEIKHS UNTAMED BRIDES series starring Maverick Sheikh Billionaires. While each can easily be read as a standalone story, you’ll likely enjoy reading the other books, too.
Claimed by the Sheikh (Tariq and Melanie)
Stolen By The Sheikh (Anwar and Lucy)
Bought By The Sheikh (Fazza and Grace)
Tamed By The Sheikh (Hamad and Nicky) Coming soon.
Freed by the Sheikh (Rashad and Haya) Coming soon
Destined For The Sheikh (Omar and Danielle) Coming Soon