6 Chapter 6 - Innocent Wolf

Under the light of the fire, silence was so heavy it made the air stiff and a mere whisper of someone's breathing sound would cut it like an elastic band. Jacob's heart was throbbing heavily as he stared at his sons.

His eyes rounded them many times, but no matter how much he counted he couldn't find Joseph among them. He counted them again and even inspected their shadows, for maybe Joseph was hidden in the shadows.

Maybe…

He didn't find Joseph, no. He must count again.

Not found, still.

Again…

And again…

one more time…

It was not till then that their cries registered in his ears. He finally looked at each one.

All of his sons, who grew into strong, able men sat there shedding tears as they sat around him, begging their father to forgive them, that it was not their fault.

It all happened so sudden, they said.

They were only away for a moment but Joseph did not make it, they said.

We are sorry but we could do nothing in time, they said.

They were crying, but Jacob did not give any of their tears a second look as he stared at the ground. There on the first laid a white cloth that is dirtied with red.

Blood red stains…

Joseph's shirt is now laid in front of Jacob. The father's heart was throbbing as he understood what everyone was saying.

His lips found the strength to lift as he asked, "What happened to Joseph?"

The sons quieted down as they looked upon their father's face. Jacob's face was pale, his lips closed tightly and his hand was clenched around the stained shirt that used to be Josephs.

"We-" One swallowed his heart beating in fear down his own throat, continuing as if nothing was wrong with the following claims.

"After camping and starting the fire to cook later, we wanted to race. However, Joseph was younger than all of us, so he couldn't participate and we didn't force him to. So we went to race close to our camping site. Who knew this would happen to little joseph?"

With a wrenching sob he cried some more.

But Jacob looked for others to tell him what happened after. And how can they not understand their old man? It was only a moment and someone else came forward to proceed with the rest of the story.

"We made sure Joseph was staying by our tents with the fire lit, as to prevent any wild animal from getting close to our place." Swallowing, he continued "While we were racing, a wolf attacked Joseph…"

"We did not think Joseph would meet with such a vicious accident."

Another jumped in, "Father, we know you will not believe us even when we are honest with you about it. We are sorry we left him unguarded but we did not stray away when racing. This was an unfortunate accident indeed and you might not trust us. Therefore-.."

"Therefore, we brought you Joseph's shirt. After Joseph died we decided that at least we should bring you what remained of him, also serving as an evidence of what occurred there. This shirt is Joseph's, and- and so is the blood."

Looking at the blood-stained shirt, Jacob realized a vital point. He was astonished.

He could not believe they would resort to such means. Not a word they said was to be trusted. Afterall, the shirt was not ripped, At ALL!

For a wolf to kill his son and stain his shirt, the shirt must have been ripped in the process. But the shirt was intact. Not a single rip can be seen.

Thinking this over, he at last glanced at his sons one last time before dismissing himself. "This matter is not as what you described, it's but a plan you planned for Joseph. God will help me to bear what you claim."

Before returning back to his tent he added, "I will be patient, this matter might take long, but God sees the unseen and will aid me during this."

At the step of his tent he looked upon the starry sky, and muttered a silent prayer, "God, please bestow your care upon Joseph and keep him safe."

Meanwhile, across the continent. Joseph was also looking at the same starry sky only far away from home. This is his first night he spends in Egypt, and he feels confused.

A gale of questions is turning in his head, however, his heart is serene. Even in this state, he is certain God will not neglect him.

Flipping on his right side, his last thought before sleep took him in was, "May God keep father well, and bless my days to come."

Awakening to the sound of the slaves merchant ushering him out of the 'bed' he slept on, right to the market place.

It was not much later that joseph was standing there, in a sackcloth, prepared to be sold a slave. Noon came and not many were interested in buying him. It could be his looks and stature that deterred people from buying him, for he appeared to belong into a fairly well off household. Not a slave at all!

The slave merchant was about to reach his limit of patience, and so on the price he sat for Joseph was steadily declining.

Glistening with sweat, the merchant wiped his forehead yet again while checking the poor slave no one was willing to purchase. Only to discover he did not sweat as profusely as him under the same scorching sun.

"This slave is durable, yet no one wants him? What a loss!" The merchant cried as he contemplated his choice when taking the boy away from the dried well in that desert. He sighed in despair and lowered the price again as he went on

Hearing the calls of the thrifty slave merchant get louder and louder while still the price is going lower and lower, people started talking about the origin of this slave.

In the end, a lower price for an exquisite slave made people more apprehensive. There has to be something fishy about such slave to be sold at such cheap price.

Slaves where generally cheap in this era. And to top it of, this pretty young slave is cheaper than many slaves. It's logical that no one is willing to bargain for this little slave.

Tired and exhausted, the slave merchant sat aside finally succumbed to weariness. He turned to look at the little lad patiently sitting on the burlap cloth to the side. About to say something, a shadow obstructed the setting sun rays in front of him. The merchant hurriedly turned his head only to swallow his shout in surprise.

This… In front of him is the First Minister in the flesh! Standing in hastiness, while rashly patting his clothes for any dirt. Slightly bowing his head to give his greetings, the slave merchant asked in a polit tone. "What can this merchant do in service to this lord?"

The study man was not looking at the merchant, he looked at the young boy who remained unchanged in posture. Not bowing nor bending down on the knees. "Strong will!" the First Minister thought as he looked in liking at the child in front of him.

The merchant seems flustered as the slave he wants to get rid of did not bow to the First Minister. No respect at all!

He stretched his hand, urging the boy furiously to greet the First Minister properly. However, Joseph merely nodded his head with a simple. "Hello!"

In rage, the merchant wanted to push the boy down to punish him. But a hand extended to stop the merchant. Finally, the First Minister glanced at the merchant, "How much for this child?"

Astonished, the man answered in bewilderment. "Only this amount." It was only after the Man went with Joseph, did the man go away in a state of confusion. But it soon did not matter to the man. He still has a trade to get busy with.

Whereas, both man and child remained silent as the man led them to his home. No matter how far that home was, they kept along with each other's footsteps.

Both of them had much to say, yet the both remained silent for a good minute. After some time, the stern man asked in a firm, yet gentle tone. "What is your name, young one?"

And the little one answered in a steadfast voice, "My name is Joseph, Joseph the son of Jacob."