Now 21, Corporal Schalit spends his 19th month captive in the Gaza Strip. But the story he had made has been published as a children’s book that teachers tolerance. The book is titled “When the Shark and the Fish First Met.”
He was a tank crewman that was captured in June of 2006 by Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip. It was in a cross-border raid into Israel. Two of Schalit’s comrades were killed in the attack. There were secret negotiations on prisoner swapping that had stalled.
The story was written when Schalit was only a fifth-grader in 1997. His children’s story was published on Saturday which 64 illustrated pages created by 29 Israeli artists. This is also on display in Nahriya, a coastal town on the Mediterranean which was Schalit’s place of birth.
The story talks about how the shark was about to devour the fish. However, the fish uses persuasion to let the shark spare him. The two of them play hide-and-seek and become friends.
Both of their mothers had shown disapproval. The shark’s mother said that fish are considered food and they don’t play with them.
The fish’s mother said that the shark is an animal that devoured his father and brother.
Both of them avoid each other for a year but meet again. While the shark says the fish is his enemy, he asks if they can make up. Both agree and announce the friendship to their mothers.
One of Schalit’s teachers found the story during last year’s spring cleaning.
“This is a message from an 11-year-old kid who believes that even enemies can live together in the end,” said Noam Schalit, the father of Corporal Schalit.
“I believe that the prophecy will come true, and the two will live together,” his teacher Mazal Gabai said. She adds: “The message is clear – nothing can happen without dialogue. Even if the other side is extremely difficult, we’ll find a way to bridge the gaps.”
The illustrators volunteered their time with the work.
In the case of Schalit’s release, the talks have had no results. Hamas wants hundreds of Palestinian prisoners to go free. So far, Israel has refused as the prisoners are convicted of killing Israelis.
So far, Red Cross was not allowed to see Corporal Schalit. His condition is unknown.
Recently an audio recording says that his health is deteriorating.