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Outside Saeed’s house on a bright early-morning street, Saeed points at windows draped with red, green, white and black banners while Sky holds a tiny flag and Manuela waves two more. Colorful streamers flutter overhead in clear sunlight.
Saeed woke up and exclaimed, "It's UAE National Day!" Sky and Manuela joined him, bringing tiny flags. "Let's see what's happening in town!" said Manuela. The trio hurried outside, feeling the excitement in the air. Red, green, white, and black decorated every window. "This will be the best day!" Sky grinned.
On the sunlit main avenue, drummers lead a parade of colorful dancers; Manuela waves her flag beside them. Saeed cheers with raised arms while Sky claps to the rhythm amid swirling confetti.
Drums echoed as a parade marched by. "Look at the dancers!" Saeed cheered. Manuela waved her flag, joining in the fun. Sky clapped to the rhythm and smiled. "Everyone looks so happy together," he said. They followed the parade down the street.
At a bustling outdoor food stall under midday light, Saeed holds a paper tray of golden luqaimat toward Manuela. She bites a dumpling smiling, as Sky reaches eagerly for another beside hanging spice sacks.
Delicious smells drifted from the food stalls. Saeed bought them luqaimat, tiny sweet dumplings. "Try these," he offered. Manuela took a bite and grinned. "Yum! I love Emirati food," she said. Sky asked, "Can we try more?"
Inside a shaded market booth that catches late-afternoon sunbeams, a smiling calligrapher in a white kandura inks flowing Arabic letters on parchment while Saeed watches wide-eyed, pointing at his name on the table.
They spotted an artist drawing Arabic letters. "That's my name!" Saeed pointed excitedly. Manuela asked, "Can he write ours too?" The artist smiled and wrote their names beautifully. Sky admired the swirly shapes. "I want to learn this one day," he said.
In an open square lit by warm sunset glow, Manuela leads Saeed and Sky in a traditional circle dance; clasped hands lift mid-step as hanging lanterns sway above and a nearby speaker plays rhythmic music.
Traditional music played nearby. "Let’s dance!" invited Manuela. Saeed showed everyone the steps. Sky laughed as he tried to follow. "You’re a great teacher," Manuela said. They all joined hands and danced in a circle.
Near the festival’s sandy edge under golden afternoon light, a gentle camel lowers its head toward Sky, who extends a cautious hand. Beside them, Manuela softly strokes the animal’s neck while colorful flags flutter behind.
A gentle camel approached the celebration. "Wow, can we pet him?" Sky asked, eyes wide. Saeed nodded, "Camels are important here!" Manuela stroked its soft fur. The camel blinked kindly at them. The children giggled, enjoying this new animal friend.
Inside a canopy-shaded learning tent in bright daylight, Saeed points at a large poster of the UAE flag, explaining each colored stripe. Manuela and Sky stand opposite him, listening attentively with small flags folded in their hands.
Manuela asked, "What do the UAE's colors mean?" Saeed explained each color’s meaning. Sky listened carefully. "Let’s remember them together," he suggested. They each repeated a color and its meaning. Friendship grew as they learned.
At an outdoor stage after sunset, stage lights bathe Saeed, Manuela and Sky in soft gold as they sing the UAE anthem, eyes fixed on a giant screen displaying lyrics. They hold hands amid surrounding crowd silhouettes.
Music began and everyone sang the UAE anthem. Saeed proudly sang along. Manuela and Sky followed the words on a screen. The crowd’s voices boomed happily. "I feel proud too," Manuela whispered. They joined hands as the song ended.
In the evening glow beside a towering wish wall sprinkled with glittering notes, Saeed writes his message with a marker. Manuela presses her written wish onto the wall while Sky watches, smiling with sleeves rolled.
Sky asked, "What do you wish for the UAE?" Saeed thought and smiled, "More unity and friendship." Manuela added, "And fun days like this!" They wrote their wishes on a big wall. It sparkled with children’s hopes. "Our wishes are together forever," Sky said.
Under a clear night sky in the town plaza, red, green, white and black fireworks burst overhead, lighting Saeed’s camera phone as he snaps a photo. Nearby, Manuela cheers with raised arms and Sky gazes upward, awestruck.
Fireworks burst, painting colorful lights above. The children gasped, "Wow!" Manuela cheered. Saeed took photos to remember the night. Sky smiled, "Let’s always celebrate together." The sky glowed in the UAE’s beautiful colors. It felt magical.
On a grassy lawn lit by a small lantern and starry midnight sky, Manuela sits cross-legged animatedly gesturing during her story while Sky laughs. Saeed reclines on his elbows listening, a folded jacket serving as pillow.
Under the stars, they shared funny tales. Manuela told one about her home. Sky described snowy days in Europe. Saeed shared stories from the desert. Each story brought laughter and smiles. Their friendship grew stronger.
Beneath quiet streetlamps in the nearly empty square just before dawn, Saeed, Manuela and Sky share a tight group hug. Sky’s UAE flag drapes across all three shoulders as soft amber light highlights their relieved smiles.
As the night ended, Saeed said, "Today was perfect." Manuela agreed, "We learned so much and had fun!" Sky wrapped his flag around his shoulders and grinned. "The UAE is our pride," he said proudly. They hugged and promised to celebrate every year. Their hearts were filled with joy and unity.