The Tale of the Sands - Hardcoverby Idries Shah (Author), Daby Zainab Faidhi (Illustrator) The Tale of the Sands reminds us that change is the very essence of life and to embrace it. Beautifully illustrated to engage children and to encourage them to think creatively. A stream travelling from the mountains, through valleys and across plains, comes at last to a hot, mighty desert. Here it finds its progress blocked. No matter how hard it tries, its waters simply vanish into the sands.