In the Shadow of Iqbal

A Story for Young Minds

Dear children! Today, we bring you a delightful tale from the life of our national poet—Allama Muhammad Iqbal—a man not only full of wisdom but also filled with warmth, humor, and humility. You may know him as the dreamer of Pakistan, but he was also a man who loved pigeons, joked with his friends, and treated children with immense love.

Let us step into a time long before today, when life was simpler, and great minds walked among ordinary people. One such extraordinary man was Allama Iqbal.

It was a bright morning in Lahore. The birds chirped merrily in the trees lining the road near Allama Iqbal’s home. A young girl with shiny black hair was skipping outside the house. Her name was Muneeza—Iqbal’s daughter. She had a curious mind, just like her father, and was always asking questions.

Inside the house, Allama Iqbal sat in his study, surrounded by books. He was writing a new poem in Persian. The room was filled with the scent of ink and paper, and the air buzzed with thought.

Suddenly, there was a knock at the door. Muneeza ran to open it. Outside stood two men—one of them was Faqir Waheeduddin, a close friend of Iqbal, and the other was his cousin, who held a small leash in his hand.

Yes! He had brought his pet dog along with him.

“Is Baba home?” asked Faqir Sahib, smiling.

“Yes, please come in!” said Muneeza cheerfully.

The two guests tied the dog’s leash to the car handle and entered the drawing room. Muneeza peeked curiously at the dog. It was a fluffy white creature, wagging its tail excitedly.

She giggled and ran inside to tell her father.

“Abba Jaan!” she called out. “There are dogs in the car!”

Iqbal looked up from his papers and smiled. Then he turned toward his guests and said playfully, “No, my dear—those are humans, not dogs.”

The room filled with laughter.

This was the kind of man Allama Iqbal was—serious in thought, yet always ready with a kind word or gentle joke. His poetry stirred nations, but his presence comforted individuals.

Children, would you like to hear another story?

One day, Allama Iqbal was invited to a gathering where many important people were present. Among them was General Nadir Khan, a tall man known for his military service. It was their first meeting.

When Nadir Khan saw Iqbal, he was surprised.

“You are Iqbal?” he asked. “I thought you would be an old man with a long beard!”

Iqbal, never missing a moment for wit, laughed and replied, “And I thought someone with the title of ‘General’ would be a strong, muscular giant—but here you are, slim and lean!”

Everyone laughed, and the air grew light. Even General Nadir Khan chuckled. Iqbal had a way of turning awkward moments into warm memories.

Iqbal’s personality had many colors. He was not just a poet or philosopher—he was also a man of passions. One of his favorite hobbies, children, was keeping pigeons!

Yes, you heard it right—Allama Iqbal loved pigeon-flying. His rooftop was often filled with flocks of pigeons circling above. He cared for them deeply, made special boxes for them, and fed them with his own hands.

One day, while feeding his pigeons, a boy from the neighborhood came running.

“Sir, may I watch the pigeons fly?”

Iqbal smiled and said, “Of course! But remember, pigeons are like ideas—you must care for them, or they will fly away.”

The boy nodded, not fully understanding, but the words stayed in his heart.

Years later, that same boy would recall those words and say, “It was that day I learned that caring for something with love makes it stay with you.”

Iqbal’s love for children was well known. He would often write poetry not just for adults, but also for young minds. Have you heard his poem "Lab Pe Aati Hai Dua Ban Ke Tamanna Meri"?

It’s a prayer—a heartfelt wish for every child to become a source of light in the world.

He once told a group of students, “Children are the builders of tomorrow. If you think with courage, and walk with honesty, you will change the world.”

Iqbal passed away in 1938, but his words still live on. His dream of a separate homeland for Muslims became a reality nine years later—Pakistan. His thoughts still echo in our classrooms, his poems still inspire our hearts, and his vision still lights our path.

Dear children, as you grow up, remember the values Iqbal lived by—wisdom, humility, courage, love for knowledge, and a playful heart. Be like his pigeons—soaring high, yet loyal to home. Be like his poetry—full of meaning, but easy to carry in your heart.

And most importantly—be like Iqbal himself. Think high, walk humbly, and love your nation.

"Khudi ko kar buland itna, ke har taqdeer se pehle

Khuda bande se khud poochhe—bata, teri raza kya hai?"

("Raise yourself to such heights, that before every destiny,

God Himself will ask you—what is it that you desire?")