arrived at his home wearing clothes that were not modest. Here is the
story as told by one of his daughters:
When we finally arrived, the chauffeur escorted myyounger sister,
Laila, and me up to my father's suite. As usual, he was hiding behind
the door waiting to scare us. We exchanged many hugs and kisses as we
could possibly give in one day.
My father took a good look at us. Then he sat medown on his lap and
said something that I will never forget. He looked me straight in the
eyes and said, "Hana, everything that God madevaluable in the world is
covered and hard to get to. Where do you find diamonds? Deep down in
the ground, covered and protected. Where do you find pearls? Deep down
atthe bottom of the ocean, covered up and protected in a beautiful
shell. Wheredo you find gold? Way down in the mine, covered over with
layers and layers of rock. You've got to work hard to get tothem."
He looked at me with serious eyes. "Your body is sacred. You're far
more precious than diamonds and pearls, and you should be covered
too." Source: Taken from the book: More Than A Hero: Muhammad Ali's
Life Lessons Through His Daughter's Eyes.
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