Al Dufdaa Al Nari / Firebelly

This work features text in Arabic. Firebelly, a small red-bellied frog missing two feet, hides his stumps from the others.

He is observant and thoughtful, and spends his time under a waterfall talking to an Old Frog who tells him about his adventures in the wild as well as what it means to be chosen as a pet.

One day, ten-year-old Caroline selects Firebelly from the pet store.

Although initially fearful, Firebelly is soon overjoyed to have his own grand container.

Caroline's father wants to exchange him for a frog with four feet, but Caroline resists - who else would care for such a frog.

When Firebelly is temporarily moved in a rental car, the lid of his container comes off and he hides.

Unable to decide between a comfortable life as a pet and an adventurous life in the wild, Firebelly is immobilised by indecision.

The car is returned and Firebelly is confronted by the loss of both Caroline and his comfortable home.

The car is rented by a man with a troubled teenage daughter, Claire.

After a conflict, Claire steals the car and searches for something meaningful in her life. Although Firebelly had only thought of people as potential pet owners, he suddenly realises that only he, a small and insignificant frog, can help this large and unknowable person.

Even though he may be tossed out the window, Firebelly realises his next jump will create his life.

With one great leap, he confronts the unknown driver.

At that moment, Claire understands that only she can care for this spectacular and unexpected being.

Underlying this story is the philosophy of Heidegger, Sartre, Dostoyevsky, and Kierkegaard.