The President’s Cake

Its draw day across Iraq, when schools select students for the honour of bringing items to their mandatory local celebrations of President Saddam Husseins birthday. Nine-year-old Lamia lives in the historic marshes with her spirited grandmother, Bibi. Before school, Bibi teaches Lamia clever tricks to avoid being chosen for the presidents cake. However, when Musa, the authoritative teacher, calls Lamias name for the most challenging taskthe birthday cakeshe has no choice but to accept. Refusing could mean imprisonment or even death.