The family wagon wobbled this way and that as old Orion, their ox, pulled it along. Seth plodded along beside Orion while he held the rope fastened around the ox’s neck. Zebina and Joash ambled behind to catch anything that might fall off the wagon.
When they stopped to rest, Zebina turned to view their old house and see a few other buildings back in Nazareth. Her town seemed so far away. She determined not to look back anymore. She must keep her mind only on their future.
As the sun bore down on her back, beads of sweat popped out on her forehead and ran down the side of her face. She grabbed the tail of her head piece to wipe her face. Seth glanced over to see her when he wiped sweat off his own brow with his forearm.
“I see a cluster of trees up ahead,” he said. “We’ll stop there to have our lunch.” He gently pulled Orion’s rope in that direction.
When they arrived, a slight breeze, along with the shade, gave them a bit of relief. Joash spied a narrow stream of water trickling down the hill nearby. “Look, over here!” Joash shouted. They all ran over and cupped their hands to catch some drops of the cool water to wash away the sweat on their faces. Each one gave a refreshing “Ah” as they felt the cool relief.
After eating the lunch Zebina had packed for them, they were able to continue their journey. More clusters of trees made the afternoon bearable. Zebina noticed the lush green grass. So pleasant. Joash said, “Do you know what I like best?”
“What?” Zebina asked.
“I don’t see rocks!”
She chuckled. “Yes, it’s beautiful here.” Seth turned with a smile and winked at Zebina.
A few more miles with drinks of water from their wineskin and they came to a single road that led them into the town of Nain. It included a few shops with houses attached, a well, and a small synagogue The colorful field of hay waved ahead of them. The house provided a welcome sight to their long day of travel at a wagon-pace.
The “men” walked out to have a closer inspection of the field and Zebina made a bee-line to the house. “Hmm,” she said out loud, “you can tell a man has been keeping house by himself.” On the other hand, he had left a few things for them. Three wooden bed stands lay to one side with a small table and a pitcher. On the other side of the house, he left a table with three stools and a few utensils.
But . . . it all needed a good dusting and sweeping. All in good time, Zebina concluded. She set her basket of food on the table and went out to the wagon to get her BROOM! Before the men returned from the field, she had swept the floor, walls, and the bed stands. She wiped the table and chairs.
When she opened the door to bring in the bedding, she spied the men coming in from the far end of the field. She surmised that she had just enough time to take the bedding in and spread out the rest of her basket of food on the table for their evening meal.
It had gotten too dark to see anything else outside, so the men were welcomed into their new home with lit lamps, a meal, and beds. Just what they needed!
When they blew out the lanterns, Seth lay on his bed smiling about the wonderful field. Zebina sighed for she was pleased to have begun making this place a home. Joash grinned because there were NO ROCKS!
~ Joyce ~