Chapter III: Reuben’s trip to Bethlehem

 
Reuben was happy that he was going to town alone and that he his family trusted him to go alone. Earlier he accompanied his father or his mother when they went either to buy something or for some other family matter to Bethlehem. It was just a few hours walk from his home. 

Reuben set off at a brisk pace, eager to reach the town where he knew he could walk in the market place and see so many things which he did not see in his village. Reuben liked the hustle of the town because he was not used to such things. His own house was built in a secluded spot away from the clutter of houses in the village. He rarely got an opportunity to see so many people together.

As he walked on the narrow footpath that wound through the meadows and small hills, he thought of the way people treated shepherds. He felt sad that boys from town, especially sons of Pharisees and those in higher positions did not want to be associated with boys like him who tended sheep along with their fathers. That is why his father had built their house a little away from the village. But they had beautiful meadows where the grass grew green and tall and provided ready fodder for the sheep to feed most times of the year except in winters when it was just too cold to venture out. 

Reuben was tall for his age and often was taken for being older than his age. He walked fast, as was his habit from years of tending sheep but he also took in the beauty around him, the tall trees and the clear blue sky. How he wished he had a pony or a mule. He had once seen a Roman soldier on a horse and he never forgot how regal the soldier looked on his horse in a smart uniform. His sword inspired awe and people on the street moved away to let him pass. 

All he wanted was a pony for himself but he knew that his family was poor and his father would never be able to afford it. But he still dreamt about it. After all no one could prevent him from dreaming.

After two hours Reuben came across a small rivulet. He palmed some of the cool clear water and took a sip. Then he splashed some more water on his face. With just a few minutes of rest he set off again. He crossed the rivulet and climbed on top of a small hill. Reuben could see the town of Bethlehem on the other side, a little distance away but close enough to see the little houses lined up. He thought he could see people going about their business on the street though it was still quite early in the morning. 

Reuben estimated that it would take him another hour before he would reach the town as distances could seem short from a hilltop. He did not linger at the top but continued his walk as he wanted to reach before the sun was high. He wanted to avoid the heat of the noon sun so he continued with renewed vigour. Not that he was tired; he was young and healthy, used to walking long hours. Finally, as he had anticipated, he reached Bethlehem in an hour. He walked on the main street, feeling happy to have made it so soon. He saw people in the street, seemingly going about their business. He saw children playing and old men sitting also. He walked towards his destination. He knew his way around the town. 

Soon enough he reached the shop of Obed, the weaver. When he entered, he saw Obed was busy attending to other customers who were buying some cloth. Reuben waved and waited for him to finish. Obed’s workshop had lots of woolen cloth stacked on one side of the wall, a couple of hand operated looms in the centre and bags of wool which he used in the other side of the room. He also had a couple of spinning wheels where he made thread out of the wool. Reuben saw that the shop was large but it had too many things in it. Obed also had his son and one worker working for him. 

As soon as he finished with the customers, Obed addressed Reuben  “What brings you here young man? Where is your papa? Has he been held up some place else in town?”

“So many questions uncle”, Reuben smiled and said, “Wait. I am here alone. Now I am a big boy so Papa sent me alone.” He continued, “I have come to ask when you will be buying wool? The sheep have grown thick coats. We are ready for shearing. Papa has asked me to inquire when we should deliver the wool.”
Giving it a thought, Obed replied, “I am still trying to finish the wool I have already bought, but you can bring it in a fortnight. By then I would have finished spinning all the wool I already have and can take on a fresh load.”

Gesturing at the loads of wool lying in the corner of the shop, Obed said, “I don’t like to accumulate too much in the shop. It takes too much space. But with a festival approaching, there will be a rush to buy woolens so I will have more sales. In fact, I might have to hire some temporary help to do the spinning so that we can concentrate on the weaving.”

Realising that the boy might be thirsty, Obed asked, “Do you want something to drink? Water, milk”? But Reuben refused. He wanted to explore the shops and buy the things his mother had asked him to get from Bethlehem. After inquiring of his father’s health and that of his family, Obed bid the boy farewell. “Take care while going back home. Do not wander here for too long or else it will get late and your mother will worry,” cautioned Obed, as he stood and waved Reuben good bye.

The young man set off, this time for the shop at the other end of the market. At the grocery shop, Reuben bought molasses for both his mother and old man Simon and also flour and some olive oil. That done, Reuben also bought a sweet for himself. Then it was time to find Hannah, the last thing on his agenda in Bethlehem. He knew where Hannah’s uncle lived so he walked to uncle Nathan’s house. But on the way he saw in the alley some men sitting and playing with dices. He knew what they were doing and he also knew it was forbidden. But he wanted to see what it was all about. He was tempted.

A boy, a couple of years older than him called out to him, “Come here. It’s great fun.”

Reuben approached the men, a bit apprehensive. He thought, maybe it is not such a bad thing. He would just look and then be on his way. Reuben observed the game. He saw that the men were playing. One person threw a few dice with different numbers on it and the men called out different numbers before the dice were thrown. Whoever called out the right number won the round. The men all placed bets and whoever won got all the money which was bet in that round. 

Reuben was also intrigued. The boy who had asked him to come near urged him to also place a bet. “Why don’t you also play? Its fun and you can also win. That would give you so much money to spend”. “Come on try it”, he urged.

Reuben wondered if he could spend some money without his parents finding out. He had actually a little money left, a couple of shekels since the molasses and oil had not cost him as much as his mother had estimated. He wanted to play. He thought it would not be such a bad idea, maybe he could win a little money which he could use on new sandals like the ones the Roman soldiers wore. 

“Ok, maybe I will play just one game”, he said. 

“Great, so bet now”, said the boy, “My name is Raphael.” 

“Very well. I want to place my bet of two shekels on number five.”

Then Reuben waited with bated breath as the man rolled the dice. All the other men also placed their bets.
Peering from between the big men, Reuben tried to see how the dice had fallen. But he saw a tall fierce looking man shriek with joy. “It’s my number. It’s three. I won, I won”, he screamed collecting all the money which was placed as a bet.

Poor Reuben could only watch as his two shekels were taken away along with the other money by the tall man. The young boy Raphael again urged him to place another bet. But he had only one shekel left and he did not want to spend his last dime on this uncertain game. He also started wondering what his father would have to say if he found out what Reuben had done with the extra money.

So Reuben controlled his urged and reluctantly walked away. He started towards Nathan uncle’s house. On reaching there, Reuben called out to the house. Uncle Nathan came out. He looked surprised, “How come you are in Bethlehem, Reuben? Is something the matter?” 

Reuben asked whether Hannah was still visiting or if she had returned to her village. Just then Hannah came out of the house and the question became redundant. Reuben said, “Shalom Hannah. Naomi wanted to know when you are returning back to Hajra?”

“Soon, in fact in a day or two I will be back home. Tell Naomi I have lots of stories to tell her”, she answered.

Uncle Nathan looked on amused at this. “She has been betrothed to this young man who lives in Jerusalem. He is well-read and also quite well off. That is what she wants to share with Naomi.”

Hannah blushed at this. “Why did you let out the secret? I wanted to tell Naomi myself. Anyway, I will tell her the details. Now she will wait for me with eagerness.”

With the conversation over, Reuben turned to leave but uncle Nathan called him back. “Stay for a while and rest Reuben. You have a long way to go and there is still a lot of time. It’s just late morning at present. You can be back even if you take some time to rest your feet and have something to eat before you make your way back”, said Nathan. This time Reuben agreed and stayed back.