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March 31, 2025 13 mins

Zaki the Hoopoe and his ever-grumbly travel buddy Captain Suhail stumble upon a mysterious treasure map hidden in a box of Eid sweets—and you know what that means: adventure time! 🏜️🌙

From ancient riddles and rhyming camels to swirling desert mirages and hidden chambers, the two unlikely heroes journey across the sands on a quest full of mystery, missteps, and meaningful lessons. But what lies at the end of the trail? Gold? Gems? Or something far more valuable?

Join us in this special Eid episode as Zaki and Suhail learn that the greatest treasures are the ones we share. 💛

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Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Zaki (00:03):
Meraj Digital presents
The Amazing Stories with Zakithe Hoopoe
The Adventure of the EidTreasure Map
This date is so sweet, I thinkit just whispered, I love you,

(00:24):
to my beak.

Captain Suhail (00:25):
Easy there, my dear man. Eat any more of those,
and you'll turn into a sugarballoon and float away.

Zaki (00:32):
Says the bird who once ate three pounds of Halwa and tried
to blame the sandstorm for hisstomachache.

Captain Suhail (00:37):
That Halwa was asking for it. Sitting there,
all smug and syrupy.

Zaki (00:43):
Hey. What's that at the bottom of the box? Did you drop
your grocery list again?

Captain Suhail (00:46):
Our pulling out parchment. Not this time. Looks
old, crinkly, fancy little moonsymbol on the corner.

Zaki (00:56):
Wait a second. So Hale, that's a map. A real one. Look,
it's got trails and a big X andeverything.

Captain Suhail (01:04):
Or it's the napkins someone doodled on
during Iftar.

Zaki (01:09):
No. No. Look here. The Eid treasure awaits the kind hearted
traveler. So hail, this is it.
This is the lost Eid treasuremap.

Captain Suhail (01:17):
Oh, I see it now. Next thing you'll tell me
is there is a genie with agolden samosa waiting for us at
the end.

Zaki (01:27):
Adventure intrigue. Maybe baklava in a box made of
moonlight.

Captain Suhail (01:30):
You mean we're gonna chase dessert across the
desert?

Zaki (01:33):
Yes. And we're leaving now. Just let me pack some dates
for the road. You never need anexcuse to pack dates. Come on,
captain.
The Eid treasure awaits.

Captain Suhail (01:45):
If this ends with you crying because a
squirrel got there first.

Zaki (01:53):
Okay. The map says we go three dunes east, then turn left
at the Canyon Of The CrescentMoon. Easy peasy. Classic
treasure stuff. Oh, I can smellit.
Gold, secrets, legendarybaklava.

Captain Suhail (02:06):
We've circled that same cactus twice, Zucky.
That lizard gave me the sameunimpressed look both times.
Even he thinks we're lost.

Zaki (02:16):
That's not just any cactus, Sohail. That's the
watcher of the dunes. If youlook at it from the right angle,
it's sort of pointing this way.

Captain Suhail (02:24):
It's a cactus with one arm pointing at
nothing.

Zaki (02:28):
That's not nothing. That's look. A sun worn trail carved
into the stone just like in thelegend of the hidden Haul Wa
Hoard.

Captain Suhail (02:36):
That legend was in a bedtime story you made up
after eating too many apricots.But what if it wasn't?

Zaki (02:44):
What if this is the same path the ancient Eid explorer
took? The one who vanished onthe day of sweets centuries ago.

Captain Suhail (02:51):
Alright. I'll admit, this place does feel
different. Air's thicker, likesomething's watching.

Zaki (02:58):
They say the wind here carries the whispers of old
travelers. You just have tolisten closely.

Captain Suhail (03:03):
Okay. That's just creepy. I don't like the
whispering wind. I like theregular boring wind.

Zaki (03:10):
Wait. Do you see that? That rock. It's not just a rock,
it's the crescent stone. Thecrescent shape, the ancient
carvings, I think it's a marker.
Look, there's writing beneaththe dust. It says, only the one
who follows the scent of joywill reach the treasure of
hearts. That's the first clue.It also says, do not climb

(03:31):
during high winds. Reallyhelpful.
No, no, no, Sohail, the scent ofjoy, that's code. Remember what
we smelled earlier? Cardamom,sesame, sweets.

Captain Suhail (03:43):
Or it's a tea merchant on the next Dune over.

Zaki (03:46):
Or it's the next clue, Sohail. This is how these
stories always go. Mysteriouscarvings, poetic riddles,
dangerous traps.

Captain Suhail (03:55):
Traps? No one said anything about traps.

Zaki (03:59):
I mean, hopefully there are traps. What's an adventure
without a booby trap or two? DidI just activate something?

Captain Suhail (04:09):
If a boulder starts rolling, I'm pushing you
in front.

Zaki (04:13):
False alarm. Definitely not cursed. Let's keep going.

Captain Suhail (04:17):
This map is cursed. You're cursed. I want
snacks.

Zaki (04:23):
Wait. So hail? Do you feel that? The breeze, it changed.
Cooler, like it's pulling

Captain Suhail (04:29):
us forward. Cardamom and rose water.

Zaki (04:33):
Yes. The scent of Eid sweets. That's our path.

Captain Suhail (04:37):
Or, again, it's a bakery.

Zaki (04:40):
Mystical bakery. Come on, captain. Adventure awaits.

Captain Suhail (04:43):
If we end up inside a giant teacup again, I'm
quitting adventuring forever.

Zaki (04:48):
Woah. Look at this place. It's like we stepped into a
forgotten postcard fromparadise.

Captain Suhail (04:53):
Too quiet. Too serene. I don't like it. You
ever notice in stories rightbefore something spooky happens,
boom. Perfect silence.
Feel that breeze?

Zaki (05:08):
The air smells like dates, cinnamon, secrets.

Captain Suhail (05:13):
You smell secrets.

Zaki (05:15):
Definitely, and camel.

Sahari - the Camel (05:23):
Travelers of sky and squawk, you've come far
to where riddles walk. He whoseeks what lies ahead must solve
what by the palm tree said.

Captain Suhail (05:37):
What in the sandy tail feathers? Did that
camel just speak in rhymes?

Zaki (05:42):
It's a poetic camel, a living desert legend. Some say
he guards the lost treasures ofthe crescent caravans. Others
say he ate all the scrolls andjust started rhyming for fun.

Sahari - the Camel (05:55):
Not all that glitters rests in gold, but
something sweet, if truth betold. By the twin palms where
shadows meet, you'll find thepath. If rhyme, you beat.

Captain Suhail (06:11):
Okay. That makes zero sense and smells like
roasted onions.

Zaki (06:17):
No. No. This is classic. We're being tested, Sohail. A
poetic guardian protecting aclue, a riddle hidden in rhyme.

Captain Suhail (06:24):
Can we just ask for directions like normal
birds?

Zaki (06:28):
Oh, wise and deeply mysterious sand sailor. What
exactly is the riddle?

Sahari - the Camel (06:34):
A date tree tall, a shadow bent. Find the
stone the wind has sent. Turn ittwice and a tune. Then watch the
ground beneath you swoon.

Captain Suhail (06:48):
He just told us to sing at a rock. I quit.

Zaki (06:52):
No. This is it. Look. Over there. Twin palms forming a
crescent shape, and beneath themis that yes.
A stone shaped like a bird'sbeak.

Captain Suhail (07:02):
Please don't Please. Anything but that. Hey.

Zaki (07:13):
You've got to be flapping kidding me. Secret tile, ancient
symbol. This is So temple of themoonlight mangoes.

Sahari - the Camel (07:21):
Mark this well, brave wings and beak. The
next step lies where the miragespeaks. A voice in heat, a
shimmer deep, where lost thingswander and time does sleep.

Captain Suhail (07:38):
I'll admit, that was impressive.

Zaki (07:40):
You hear that, Sohail? That's not just the wind, that's
history whispering, telling uswe're getting close.

Sahari - the Camel (07:46):
Go now, swift ones, the treasure is not
far, But beware the desert ofwandering stars.

Zaki (07:56):
Nope. Nope. That sounds way too dramatic for my liking.
You wanted an adventure,captain. Now we've got one.
Let's follow the mirage. Okay.Not gonna lie. This is farther
than I thought. Hotter too.
I feel like a grilled

Captain Suhail (08:15):
fig. I told you we should have packed more water
and maybe an umbrella or a smallcamel with a fan.

Zaki (08:24):
But look, look at that shimmer over the dune. That's
not just heat. It's pulsing likeit's calling to us.

Captain Suhail (08:31):
Okay. I'll admit, this place is strange.
Look over there. Those sanddunes just shifted and they
looked like like a star map fora second.

Zaki (08:42):
This must be the Desert Of Wandering Stars, where the stars
aren't in the sky, but in thesand.

Captain Suhail (08:48):
This is wild. You think maybe the treasure's
real, like really real. Wefollowed the riddles, uncovered
secrets, and

Zaki (08:57):
met a rhyming camel. We're in the legend now. Woah. Sun's
moving weird. This isn't justweather.
Hold your feathers. It's amirage storm. They say it
confuses even the cleveresttravelers. I I don't know which
way to go. The stars in the sandkeep shifting.

(09:18):
The map's useless now.

Captain Suhail (09:20):
Hey, look at me. What did that poetic camel say?
The one who follows the scent ofjoy. You said it yourself. We're
not just following a map.
We're following feelings. Theheart, not the map. Look over
there. See that palm tree? Theshadows forming.
A crescent again just likebefore.

Zaki (09:42):
This is it. I feel it, Sohail. Woah. Is that a symbol
carved into the ground? Yes.
A crescent, a star,

Captain Suhail (09:50):
and a door. You've got to be flapping
kidding me.

Zaki (09:54):
This is the Lost Eid Chamber. Captain, look. I see
something. What does this signsay? The greatest treasures are
the ones we share.

Captain Suhail (10:04):
There's no gold, no rubies. Nope. Just food,
sweets, a place to gather like aforgotten kneed feast, waiting
to be found again. We thought wewere chasing treasure,

Zaki (10:16):
but we were being led to a place of joy, of togetherness.

Captain Suhail (10:20):
Zaki, my good lad, hold me feathers for a
moment. We went on a merry huntthrough the sands, the oasis,
and then the secret chamber ofEid, all that has led us here,
to the back entrance of themasjid on Sixth And Broadway.

Zaki (10:36):
But captain, the pleasure is in the journey. Smell the
aroma of toasted cardamom andcookies, baklava, and halwa.
They have five different flavorsof ice cream. Teas from all
over. I get to experience thiswith you, you grumpy seagull.
To those who find this place,take what you need, share what
you can, and remember, the besttreasures are the ones you bring

(10:59):
with you.

Captain Suhail (11:00):
Well, Zucky, I guess your crazy map led us
somewhere pretty amazing afterall, even though the Masjid was
only three blocks from where webegan.

Zaki (11:12):
You know, Sohail, I think I finally get it. This whole
journey, the riddles, the clues,the poetic camel. It wasn't just
about finding a treasure. It wasabout remembering what Eid is
really for.

Captain Suhail (11:27):
Gain in weight, almost getting swallowed by a
mirage storm and taking a breakfrom your friends.

Zaki (11:34):
No. Eid isn't just a celebration. It's a gift from
Allah. A moment of joy after along month of patience. A day of
gratitude after fasting, a timewhen families come together,
when hearts open, and when weremember those in need.
That's why Allah gave us Eid.It's not just a reward, it's a
reminder.

Captain Suhail (11:55):
A reminder of what really matters.

Zaki (11:58):
Exactly. Sharing, forgiving, thanking Allah for
all the blessings, big andsmall, from the food on our
plates to the people we love.Even if they grumble and steal
your dates.

Captain Suhail (12:11):
I told you, I was inspecting them for quality.
Whatever you say, captain.

Zaki (12:16):
So wherever you are, my dear adventurer, I hope your Eid
is filled with light, laughterand love. And remember, you
don't have to find a secretchamber to discover real
treasure. It's already aroundyou, in your prayers, your
family, your kindness and yourheart.

Captain Suhail (12:34):
And maybe in the last slice of baklava, you
forgot was in the fridge.

Zaki (12:41):
Yes. That too. From us to you, Eid Mubarak, my friend. May
Allah bless you and your lovedones with joy, peace, and the
best kinds of treasure.

Captain Suhail (12:52):
Like a good nap after a full plate.

Zaki (12:55):
And the strength to wash the dishes after. Mubarak. Now
so hail. What do you say wefollow that second map I found
under the cookie plate?

Captain Suhail (13:05):
I'm not moving until I finish this date
pudding. And if another camelstarts rhyming at me, I'm taking
a vacation.

Zaki (13:14):
Speaking of rhyming captain, do I have a story for
you?

Captain Suhail (13:17):
Nah. Nope. No. First, we eat.

Zaki (13:24):
This story was produced by Meraj Digital. Narration by
Wayne Holland. Episode written,edited, and directed by Syed
Kashif and Atif Hussein. Formore content by Meraj Digital,
please visit our site atwww.meraj.digital.

Copyright (13:46):
Content copyright and production copyright 2025 by
Meraj Digital.
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