Jesus Christ -- Fiction; Jesus Christ -- Juvenile fiction; Short stories
Faustina reflected a moment. “I am glad that we came to this city on the
day that the people celebrate their festival,” said she. “It can not
signify anything else than that the gods protect our journey. Do you
think it likely that he whom we seek, the Prophet of Nazareth, has also
come to Jerusalem to participate in the festivities?”
“You are surely right, Faustina,” said the Roman. “He must be here in
Jerusalem. This is indeed a decree of the gods. Strong and vigorous
though you be, you may consider yourself fortunate if you escape making
the long and troublesome journey up to Galilee.”
At once he rode over to a couple of wayfarers and asked them if they
thought the Prophet of Nazareth was in Jerusalem.
“We have seen him here every day at this season,” answered one. “Surely
he must be here even this year, for he is a holy and righteous man.”
A woman stretched forth her hand and pointed towards a hill, which lay
east of the city. “Do you see the foot of that mountain, which is
covered with olive trees?” she said. “It is there that the Galileans
usually raise their tents, and there you will get the most reliable
information about him whom you seek.”
They journeyed farther, and traveled on a winding path all the way down
to the bottom of the valley, and then they began to ride up toward
Zion’s hill, to reach the city on its heights. The woman who had spoken
went along the same way.
The steep ascending road was encompassed here by low walls, and upon
these countless beggars and cripples sat or lolled. “Look,” said the
woman who had spoken, pointing to one of the beggars who sat on the
wall, “there is a Galilean! I recollect that I have seen him among the
Prophet’s disciples. He can tell you where you will find him you seek.”
Faustina and Sulpicius rode up to the man who had been pointed out to
her. He was a poor old man with a heavy iron-gray beard. His face was
bronzed by heat and sunshine. He asked no alms; on the contrary, he was
so engrossed in anxious thought that he did not even glance at the
passers-by.
Nor did he hear that Sulpicius addressed him, and the latter had to
repeat his question several times.
“My friend, I’ve been told that you are a Galilean. I beg you,
therefore, to tell me where I shall find the Prophet from Nazareth!”
The Galilean gave a sudden start and looked around him, confused. But
when he finally comprehended what was wanted of him, he was seized with
rage mixed with terror. “What are you talking about?” he burst out. “Why
do you ask me about that man? I know nothing of him. I’m not a
Galilean.”
The Hebrew woman now joined in the conversation. “Still I have seen you
in his company,” she protested. “Do not fear, but tell this noble Roman
lady, who is the Emperor’s friend, where she is most likely to find
him.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account