لوغالباندا

Logalband is the oldest known written story in history, it is older even than the Epic of Gilgamesh. The cuneiform tablets inscribed with this Sumerian legend were discovered in the nineteenth century, but they were not deciphered until the seventies of the twentieth century. In this ancient Sumerian tale, the young prince Logalband decides to join his brother in battle, and because of this arduous journey, he collapses completely, but the generous Sumerian gods do not leave him alone, rather they grant him magical power that enables him to help reach a peaceful solution to the war. These epic adventures of a loyal and clever boy have been re-documented with lyrical flourishes by Kathy Henderson and illustrated with shimmering gilded paintings by Jane Ray, where their lively and magnificent words blend with watercolors, ink, and collage to tell the story of Logalband and his bravery, kindness, and foresight. After falling seriously ill and being left in the wilderness, his brothers' army went to war. Upon his recovery, Logalband tames the frightening Anzo bird with teeth like shark teeth and claws like eagle talons, convincing the beast to grant him supernatural strength and speed. In return, the prince promises that his people will forever revere the Anzo bird. In a wonderful adaptation, the esteemed Henderson presents this story as one of the oldest known stories of humanity, which she discovered just before the Iraq invasion in 2003, and she was deeply influenced by it. She decided to present it in this way so it can be read by all ages and not remain confined to the adult world.