What about Me? by Ed Young

"What about Me?" originates from the Middle East and has its roots in the Sufi tradition. The Sufi, were Middle Eastern master of the fable and their tales, much like that of Aesop, were meant to entertain but also to teach. 
This is a great story about a boy who seeks knowledge from a wise Grandmaster. Before the Grandmaster grants him knowledge the boy will have to give him a small carpet.  As the boy tries to acquire the small carpet, he crosses path with many people: carpet maker, sppiner woman, goat keeper,  goat seller, carpenter, matchmaker, merchant. All these people are willing to help him, but they want something in return. Each person the boy encounters says: "I have needs. What about me?" Boy manages to find and bring wife to a carpenter and then he gets all the things necessary from all the people he came across to get a carpet for the Grandmaster. Finally, when he carries the small carpet back to the Grand Master, he is told that is already has all the knowledge he needs. Grand Master leaves the boy with his two morals. The first moral that the Grand Master  h shares is: "Some of the most precious gifts that  we receive are those we receive  when we are giving." The second moral he shares is :  " Often knowledge comes to us, when we least expect it." The boy learns a valuable lesson that it is better to give than to expect.
I was really drawn into the intricate tale wondering what the boy will do to acquire the knowledge and at the same time helps everybody whose help he needed. Very imaginative and wise story for children. Folk tales from all over the world have some sort of moral that is applicable in our days too.  I believe it will draw older children quite curious and interested.  I love old legends and folk tales so this story inspired me to read other great books by Ed Young.
In the classroom we will discuss about the ways we can gain knowledge. We will also explain the difference between the wisdom and knowledge.  We would discuss the ending quote/moral.