about it?”
“No. He will have plenty of other things on his mind when he returns. I know him well. Joshua, my son, enjoy the next few weeks without him. I know that you have had a tough time lately. Do your writing exercises. I also know that you can write faster than you let on. I look over your shoulder now and then. But that will remain our secret.” She smiled at him knowingly.
“O, …“
“As a mother one notices many things. Sit down a few hours now, finish up your writing exercises, work ahead, and then you will be able to spend plenty of time with Jesus in the next few weeks. I think it is important for you to spend as much time as possible together.”
Joshua spent a lot of time with Rachel and Jesus the next few days. He visited both of them, who were usually near the well somewhere, every day after having finished his writing exercises. Jesus often played on his flute and Rachel listened to his melodies. Today Joshua met up with the two of them again after having completed his exercises.
“Nice of you to come, Joshua.” Rachel ran up to greet him. “Jesus is playing for me again. Isn't it beautiful?”
“Oh don't exaggerate, Rachel“, Jesus had to smile, “after all it isn't really all that special.”
“Jesus, have you asked Rachel that one question already?”
“Which question?” Rachel jumped up and down impatiently in front of them.
“I had asked Joshua a few days ago what he would do, if he only had one more day to live.”
“Well that is easy. I would be together with the two of you all day long and listen to you play flute.” Rachel laughed. “What would you do, Jesus?”
It took a while until he replied.
“I would wish for a celebration to which all children would be invited. I would laugh and dine together with you. Yes, there would also be cheese balls there, Joshua.” He laughed.
“And I would thank God every minute for the time I had been allowed to spend on earth and that I had gotten to know interesting folks like you, Rachel and Joshua.
“I will sure miss you.” Joshua was sad again suddenly
“I know, but we will miss you too. If we make a wish, maybe we can meet in our dreams.” Jesus wrapped his arm around Joshua.
“Yes, exactly.” Rachel was thrilled with the idea. “That is a great plan. Let's do that!”
“Are you already looking forward to our trip to Sepphoris tomorrow?” Jesus changed the subject.
“Oh, you bet I am.” Joshua laughed. “Today my mother gave me permission to go. How about you, Rachel? Are you allowed to come along?”
“Yes. Although my father says that it is not something for little girls, he let himself be persuaded my mom. In the end the mothers usually have the last word at home.” Rachel laughed.
“Almost always, just not in my home“, Joshua said wistfully and let his gaze glide over the hills of his home country. He knew that he would have many more opportunities to enjoy this view.
∞
Sepphoris was visible from afar since the town was located on a hill. Its outline resembled a bird that was taking a sunbath and enjoying life. The Romans were proud of the fact that Sepphoris had a grid street system, but many of the native Jews considered that system to be too artificial, with no relationship left to the bird after which the town had been named.
The small group of travellers had been on their way for about an hour. Finally the capital of Galilee was coming to view. Miriam had lived in Nazareth for a year now since her return from Alexandria, but today was the first time she laid eyes on Sepphoris.
“When we get into town I want all of you children to stick close to me.” Miriam was addressing Joshua, Rachel and her son Jesus. Jossi and Judah knew the town well already and were already considered to be grown-ups.
Since Miriam was an open-minded woman, she was looking forward to the new impressions the city held. The town had been burned to the ground a few months after she had returned to Nazareth. And what had been built up since then was a feat only the Romans were capable of, as Joseph said. Many foremen and construction crews and many more slaves had been as busy as ants in the last few months with the task of making the town even grander than it had ever been.
Now she had to think of something that had happened during her stay in Alexandria. Miriam had had a dream in which a bright being had appeared to her, which had informed her that she was to postpone her return to Nazareth for a few more months. She had not told anyone about this dream. Since then she had been carrying a burden and she was aware of the great danger hers on was to be in throughout his life on earth. The being of light had spoken of a dark power that would stop at nothing to attempt to slay Jesus before his time so that he would be prevented from carrying out his mission. Herod had had given the horrific order to kill all newborns back then, which is why the departure to Egypt had been undertaken quicker than originally planned. And this being had also informed her, that a second wave of violence was in planning and that it would take place in Sepphoris, the capital of Galilee, which was located only about an hour from Nazareth, where the family was to live again eventually. Joseph would look for construction work in Sepphoris and take Jesus along with him occasionally. Unfortunately what the forces of darkness had planned in this case could no longer be prevented from happening. So in order not to endanger the safety of Jesus, she was to remain in Egypt a few more months. She had only told Bakenor about it, so as to not worry anyone else. Since Joseph had always agreed with whatever she suggested, there was no problem there.
“Alright children, pay attention, we will be passing through the main gateway of the city in a moment.” Joseph brought Miriam back from her musings.
Miriam was excited, for she enjoyed seeing new sights and meeting new people. She had been looking forward to this trip to Sepphoris for along time. Although they had barely yet passed the town gate, many different fragrances already were wafting about them. The first fragrances to greet them were the smell of rosemary and thyme. They passed by a few narrow alleys where weavers, carpenters and potters had their quarters. Then they spotted a barrel-maker at work.
“Why does that man have a colorful cloth attached to his garments?” Joshua raised his eyebrows so much that Miriam had to smile.
“He is a dyer. The cloth he wears serves to inform others of his profession. Look, back there you can see a tailor. He has a bone needle attached to his garment, see? And over there is a carpenter.”
“And how can you tell what his profession is, Miriam?”
“He has a sliver of wood lodged behind his ear.” Miriam liked Joshua and his innate curiosity. He was a nice boy and obviously also a good friend for Jesus.
Finally they arrived at a large square full of countless people.
“The agora“, Joseph said. “That is what the marketplace is called in Greek, as I was once told by someone. I have heard that this one stretches a bit longer than most others.”
Miriam saw countless booths with various kinds of grain like wheat and barley. There were booths with bread, with the fine wine of Galilee which was even shipped as far as Alexandria. There were olives, grapes,
