The First Arab Youth

His Majesty looked at me and listened. He was brimming with health and vigor, and the majesty of kingship clothed him despite the newness of his acquaintance with life. So I said: "Has this day tired you, Your Majesty?"

— Not at all! On the contrary.

— And how did you find Lebanon?

— I knew Lebanon before, and I still remember it. I love Lebanon dearly. Its scenery is beautiful. And how I admired Beirut when I looked at it from the sea.

— How was your sea voyage?

— I enjoyed it very much. I love the sea, and roaming upon it delights me.

— You visited the Lebanese National Museum — did it please you?

He answered quickly:

— Yes... the mosaics and their beautiful colors.

— Are you inclined toward sports? And which kinds are dearest to Your Majesty?

— I am inclined to every kind of sport, and dearest to me in particular are horseback riding and swimming. I have my own pool at al-Zuhur Palace in Baghdad.

Here I asked him whether he had grown used to diving into the water, and he laughed and said: "If you count jumping in feet first as diving, then I am used to it..."

I laughed too, and His Majesty went on:

— I also love airplanes, and I want to fly them.

— Which lessons do you prefer?

He answered at once:

— Arabic and chemistry.

— And what books do you read?

Here Her Majesty the Queen Mother joined the conversation and said: "He reads a great deal." And His Majesty the King answered:

— I read many kinds of books, but I prefer detective novels. Sherlock Holmes is one of my favorite heroes of fiction, and I like the novels of "Agatha Christie."

— And what does Your Majesty think of music? Do you have a taste for it?

He answered with a modesty that showed His Majesty's diligence in broadening his knowledge:

— I do not know much about music, but I am very keen on it, and I want to master it. I have begun studying notation and playing the piano.

— And the cinema? Does it please Your Majesty?

— Yes... the cartoon films, the ones "Walt Disney" draws. And funny films please me. I am a great admirer of Laurel and Hardy...

— And animals?

— I love animals. I have three Persian cats from England. And I admire dogs and horses.

Here I remembered that His Majesty had two large dogs of the Great Danes breed, so I asked him about them, and he answered that they had died. I expressed my sorrow over them, for they had been beautiful dogs. His Majesty said: "Yes, they were beautiful — what a pity," and he lowered his head a moment, then continued: "But what good is the beauty of that breed of dog? It is stupid." I was astonished that so conscious a grasp of values should come from one as young as His Majesty.

Then Her Majesty Queen Aliya asked him whether he had spoken by telephone to Baghdad, and he answered her:

— Yes, I spoke with Raad — that is, Prince Raad, son of His Highness Prince Zaid, brother of the late Faisal I.

And His Majesty turned to me, directing his words to me:

— Raad is my closest friend. I always play with him. I asked him what kinds of games they played together, and he answered, laughing:

— We play battles...

Here I realized that I had taken up a large part of His Majesty's time, so I thanked him and asked his leave to withdraw, praying that his Hashemite Majesty be granted long life, that he may fulfill the hopes the Arabs place in him.