The Story of Gilgamesh — Told by a Grandfather in Syria

The Story of Gilgamesh — Told by a Grandfather in Syria revives the world's oldest epic as a living tale of wisdom, grief, and hope. The Epic of Gilgamesh, carved on clay more than four thousand years ago in Mesopotamia, is here retold through the warm, intimate voice of a grandfather sharing the story with his grandchildren beside a fire. Through his words, the ancient legend becomes more than history—it becomes guidance for today. The mighty King Gilgamesh, proud and restless, meets his equal in Enkidu, the wild man shaped from clay. Their friendship changes him forever, leading them to brave battles against Humbaba of the Cedar Forest and the Bull of Heaven. But when Enkidu dies, Gilgamesh is overcome with grief and fear of his own mortality. His desperate journey takes him through deserts, mountains, and seas, to the immortal Utnapišhtim, who survived the Great Flood. There, he learns that eternal life is not for men—but still he seeks hope in the Plant of Life, only to lose it to a serpent. In the end, Gilgamesh returns to Uruk empty-handed yet transformed, realizing that immortality lies not in endless days but in the walls we build, the love we give, and the stories we leave behind. This retelling weaves the ancient epic with reflections that speak directly to children and adults alike: lessons of friendship, loss, resilience, and the enduring power of memory. Each chapter is rich with imagery, as if carved anew in firelight, and accompanied by the tender wisdom of a grandfather passing strength to the next generation. In a world shaken by conflict and uncertainty, this book offers more than myth—it offers a parable of endurance. Just as Gilgamesh's words carved in clay survived empires, so too can kindness, courage, and love survive the storms of our time. For readers who love mythology, folklore, timeless wisdom, or stories told at the hearth, The Story of Gilgamesh — Told by a Grandfather in Syria is both a journey into the past and a guide for the present.