Joshua's Stable

CHAPTER 18 As they entered Bethlehem, Joshua gazed around. He never ceased to be amazed at the number of little children running around and the people all walking and talking. He made his way along the familiar street to the inn where he and his father had always stopped and had a meal. The inn was a large white building that stood out from the little houses because of its size. He paused at the front door, unsure whether he would be allowed to take Sasha in with him. He looked down into those soft brown eyes. He just could not bear the idea of leaving his beloved dog outside while he went inside to eat. “Come on Sasha” he said as he went into the Inn. The dining room was full of people. There were four Roman legionaries sitting at one table and families at others. Joshua went to an empty table near the window that looked out onto the street. The last time that he and his father were here they had sat at the same table. “Please sit,” he said quietly to Sasha. Sasha obediently sat down at his feet and then after a moment lay down with his head under the table. Joshua then remembered the money in his sandal. He took off his sandal under the table and pried off the heel with his knife, emptying the coins onto his hand. He then placed them in his pouch. He felt a little worried and shy, as he had never ordered any food. His father had always done so. He tried to remember what his father had said. Joshua always had a treat, honey rolls, goat cheese and goat’s milk. His father had wine and a loaf and cheese and tomatoes. They finished off with a basket of figs. He had just finished pondering this when a pretty girl with long black curly hair and lovely green eyes approached him. She seemed to be very young, not much older than Joshua himself. “What would you like, sir”? she asked with a mischievous smile. Joshua was a little awestruck at being called sir, and being spoken to, by such an attractive girl. He forgot for a moment what he had planned to say. “I uh,” he stammered. “Oh what a lovely dog”, the girl said glancing down and seeing Sasha lying under the table. “Is he yours?” Joshua beamed with pride. “His name is Sasha” he said smiling. “What a lovely name. I might have a juicy bone for him somewhere in the kitchen.” Sasha wagged his tail and they both laughed. “Could I have some honey rolls, cheese and goats milk please” he asked looking into those pretty, green eyes. She nodded shyly and smiled. Then shaking her head to one side and sending her black curly hair over one shoulder, she turned and walked towards the kitchen. Joshua gazed out the window onto the sunlit street. It was so exciting being here on his own, in this bustling town. He felt so grown up. He wondered about the green-eyed girl. Did she live at the inn? He wondered what her name was. He was excited just thinking about her. He loved the way she had noticed Sasha and had promised to get him a bone. He was still thinking about her when she suddenly appeared with his food and a bone for Sasha. She put the tray of food on the table and, taking the bone off the tray, she bent down and handed the bone to Sasha. Sasha gently took the bone from her outstretched hand and wagged his tail. “You’re welcome, Sasha” she said standing up and smiling. She turned those enchanting green eyes on Joshua. Are you staying in Bethlehem or just passing through?” This time Joshua met her gaze with confidence. “Actually I am hoping to find work here,” he said. She frowned and thought for a moment. “Jahleel is the innkeeper and also my father. He was just saying the other day that he wanted to hire someone to clean out the stable. But it is a very dirty job.” she said, wrinkling her nose. Joshua beamed with pleasure. “I would be delighted to do that for him, but do you know of anywhere that Sasha and I could spend the night.” He was not thinking about the Inn as he knew that he could not afford a room. “Oh, we have no room at all here. The Roman legionaries have taken up our spare rooms.” She said apologetically, “But I will ask my father if he knows of anywhere you can sleep. There might be room in the servants shack” but she shook her head as she said this indicating that she did not think so. She looked sad and troubled that she might not be able to help him. He smiled his charming little smile. “Don’t worry about it. Do you mind me asking, what is your name?” “Anna,” she replied, blushing. “Anna, I would be very pleased to clean out your father’s stable. Can you please ask him if he would like me to start straight away? And don’t worry, Sasha and I will find somewhere to stay.” She nodded, still blushing, and turned and ran towards the kitchen. He looked at the feast in front of him. Honey rolls were one of his favorite dishes. He realized how very hungry he was as he began eating this delicious meal. The cheese tasted so good, as did the goat’s milk He daydreamed about Anna as he ate his meal. He was just finishing when Anna returned, smiling. She placed a bowl of figs in front of him. “My father said you can begin as soon as you have finished your meal. He would also like you to help him fetch some water for the Inn later today”. Joshua picked up a delicious fig. “Thank you Anna, how much for the meal?” “Father said there will be no charge for the meal. He said he will count it towards your work for him.” He nodded at her, smiling. Anna turned to walk away but suddenly turned back and bent down and whispered in his ear. “Make sure you ask him how much he will pay you for your work”. She glanced quickly over her shoulder, and whispered “He sometimes likes people to work for nothing.” Without another word she turned and hurried away. Joshua ate the rest of the figs in the bowl. When he was finished he felt a little unsure what to do. He was thinking about going into the kitchen to look for Anna or her father, when Anna came out of the kitchen and beckoned him. He got up and followed her, trailed by Sasha. The kitchen was large and filled with the lovely aroma of cooking food. A big lady stood stirring a large pot of stew. Anna introduced her. “This is my mamma, Sarah, and mama, this is Joshua” She wiped her hand on her apron and nodded to Joshua. “I am pleased to meet you Joshua, I hope you will be able to clean out the stable. It is a filthy mess. It’s a wonder that poor Samson is still alive at all” Shaking her head she turned and went back to stirring the pot. Joshua followed Anna out of the kitchen to the back door of the Inn. “Who is Samson?” he asked as he caught her up at the door. “Oh. That’s our ox who lives in the stable,” she said over her shoulder. They came out into a large courtyard at the rear of the Inn. Just beside the back door was a little platform with two water barrels on it. On their left, a few paces away, stood the little stable. There were flies buzzing around the doorway and a strong smell of dung coming from it. On the other side of the courtyard was a low long shed. Anna saw him glancing at it. “That’s where some of the hired help sleep”, she said, “but I wouldn’t recommend it.” “Why not?” “Well for one thing, they are not very good company for someone like you” She blushed as she said this. They came to the stable door and Joshua pushed it and went in. It took a moment for his eyes to adjust to the darkness after the bright sunshine. The smell was atrocious. The air was thick with flies, the floor was knee deep in dung and Samson the ox was over to one side lying down. He appeared to gaze mournfully at his visitors. Joshua was appalled that the poor animal was living in such terrible conditions. It was as though, there had never been any fresh bedding laid down for Samson.