1. A prophecy foretold the birth of a girl like Eleonora Cohen.
Do you believe in mystical propositions such as prophecies? Do
you think the events surrounding her birth were truly foretold
or just coincidence? Why do we in the West dismiss the idea of
prophets and prophecies? Have we lost something in doing so? 2.
What were your impressions of Eleonora? What made her different
from others, especially other children? 3. What was the
significance of the purple and white hoopoes in the story? Why
did animals behave as they did around Eleonora? Do you believe
animals can sense things differently—perhaps better—than humans?
4. Eleonora's life touched those of many adults, including her
father, Yakob. Talk about their bond. How did the various
characters in the story view Eleonora? How did her father see
her? What about her tutor, the Reverend James Muehler ? Her
father's friend and her guardian, Moncef Bey? The sultan and the
other people in his palace, including his mother and his
counselor, the Grand Vezir? Wha