1. The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky
Farah Ahmedi

2. Laura Bush meets with Farah Ahmedi in the
Diplomatic Reception Room at the
White House on May 5, 2005.

3. Farah Ahmedi Born in Kabul, Afghanistan (1988)
Lost leg to a landmine at age seven
Aged 17 at novel’s publication, Ahmedi was a successful student at Wheaton North High School
Interests: music, movies, & cooking
Academics: enjoys history & computer classes
Free time: studies to improve her English language skills

4. TANG
T – The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky
A – Farah Ahmedi
N – Afghan (from Afghanistan)
G – Autobiography; coming-of-age (rite of passaage)

5. The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky
Farah Ahmedi uses first person narration to tell of her journey from her native Afghanistan village to Germany, Pakistan, and, finally, to America (where she and her mother now reside).
Ahmedi recounts trials & triumphs in remarkable travels where she faces both evil & good forces.

6. The Story of My Life: An Afghan Girl on the Other Side of the Sky
She experiences terrible losses, including her leg in a land mine accident and the death of several family members.
However, she experiences supreme compassion from unexpected people, including her sponsor Alyce.
Her ability to overcome tragedies comes from surprising places as she reminds us of our own capacities to surmount challenges.

7. Reading Assignment
Apply The Hero’s Journey to Farah Ahmedi’s personal story of survival.
Also, as you read each chapter, choose one quote & explain how the quotation illustrates the essence or theme for the chapter.
Create a story map that illustrates Ahmedi’s “heroic journey” from Afghanistan all the way to America.
For each of the 12 archetypal steps of the Hero’s Journey, apply Ahmedi’s life (visuals & text).

8. The Hero’s Journey
The Ordinary World –Characteristics: common, comfortable, mundane, even boring…
Call to Adventure – The call to adventure establishes the stakes of the game and makes clear the hero’s goal. The hero also learns what is at stake! The hero must leave the ordinary world!
Refusal to the CALL – The hero expresses reluctance and has not fully committed to the journey!
The Mentor is introduced to encourage or guide the Hero! The Mentor serves as a motivator or teacher. The Mentor also helps to prepare the hero for the unknown. HOWEVER, the Mentor can only go so far with the hero. The hero’s final challenge will be faced alone.

9. The Hero’s Journey
Crossing the First Threshold – The Hero agrees to face the conflict and accept the consequences. Finally, the adventure gets MOVING!!
6. *TESTS*ALLIES*ENEMIES – The hero begins to understand the rules of the Special World. [Friends, Villains, Tests] ALL are introduced.
7. Approach to the Inmost Cave – This place may SYMBOLIZE where a secret object may be found, where the enemy is hiding, or the edge of some dangerous place. Often it is noted that heroes pause at this symbolic barrier to prepare, plan, and outwit the enemy.

10. The Hero’s Journey
The Supreme Ordeal – The hero confronts his/her greatest fear. The possibility of death is faced. The audience or reader is held in suspense. The Supreme Ordeal is a life or death moment for the hero. There is NO WAY OUT!
9. Reward – The hero overcomes obstacles & takes possession of the reward. Symbolically, the reward may be knowledge, a sword, secret plans, a conflict resolved, etc.

11. The Hero’s Journey
The Road Back – This stage marks the return to the ordinary world. However, dangers still lie in our hero’s onward journey. Our hero is not out of the woods yet! Hostile forces continue to rage and pose threats.
Resurrection – Often a second life-and-death moment for the hero.
Return with ELIXIR – The hero returns to ordinary world with treasure, knowledge, or a lesson from the SPECIAL WORLD! The Hero returns with an Elixir to share with others or heal a wounded land.  The Elixir can be a great treasure or magic potion.  It could be love, wisdom, freedom, or simply the experience of having survived the Special World. The hero is transformed by these new insights!

13. Islamic Sharia Law
The term “Sharia” literally means “the path to a watering hole.”
Sharia is a religious code for living, in the same way that the Bible offers a moral system for Christians.
Sharia law deals with many topics addressed by secular law, including crime, politics, & economics, sexuality, hygiene, diet, prayer, & fasting.
Interpretations of these laws vary, however, from family to family.
Muslims believe Sharia is God’s law, but they differ as to what it exactly entails.
See TEN examples of Sharia law.