“Tell me your master’s name. I’ll go myself to try and work out a deal with him”
Jacob’s boss approached and he saw the dead ox lying in the middle of the road.
“What happened here?!”
“I’m so sorry! It just suddenly collapsed!”
“You were probably hitting it too hard!
“I was not!”
Jacob’s master ground his teeth together in anger.
“Who’s this other boy? Another troublemaker?”
“I’m a friend. And yes, maybe a bit of a troublemaker, but I assure you no one did anything to cause your animal to die. My name is David.”
“Well, David, I have a lot of friends in the area, the type of men who would love the opportunity to give troublemakers a good beating for a bit of pay. If you are really Jacob’s friend, then listen closely. I’m giving him until sundown to find a replacement for my dead ox. If he fails to find one by that time, it won’t be good news for him.”
“What about the fruits?”
“Good question, boy. I’m going to take the amount I lost today out of the money I pay him. Now go find me another ox.”
*****
Jacob and David set off for the marketplace on foot in search of a replacement for the dead ox. It was not fair that Jacob was being threatened like this, but his boss did not care about the rights of “lowly peasants,” especially the rights of a timid orphan boy.
David led the way.
“I have an idea. There’s a Jewish innkeeper who lives in a nearby village. He’s extremely kind and I’ve taken shelter in his inn many times. Let’s see if he can help us.”
The two boys soon arrived at the home of Moshe, a cheery, goodhearted innkeeper who had been blessed with tremendous wealth.
“Before you say anything, you both look much too skinny. Come inside, make yourselves comfortable, and have something to eat.”
Moshe personally brought the boys some fish and rice. He stood over them with an expression of concern until they had finished their last bite.
“That’s better. Now how can I help you?”
“This is my new friend, Jacob,” David said. “He was taking his master’s ox, loaded with produce, to a local buyer when suddenly the animal died. If we don’t find a replacement before sundown he said he’s going to hire men to beat us.”
Moshe thought for a long time before replying. His heart was broken over the plight of these two innocent Jewish boys. However, he did not have the means to make such a huge purchase before sundown. He knew he had to think of something, but he was truly at a loss as to how he could help.
“Tell me your master’s name. I’ll go myself to try and work out a deal with him.”
