***
“They've got it locked up in the chicken coop like it's dangerous or something.” Lucien had found it when he took a necessary trip to the bathroom yurt.
“Is it okay?” Molly's eyes were still red from crying.
“He came right up to the door and let me pet him with my fingers. I don't know if he's eating, though. His food dish looked untouched.” Lucien plopped down on the rug by the other kids.
“I wish we could talk to Father Andrew,” Lily chewed her lip. “He'd know what to say to our parents.”
Logan's face lit up. “We could talk to one of the Saints. Abram seemed nice. Maybe he'd know what to do.”
“We walk but once… rememboy?”
“We weren't even visiting him. We were going to see Melchizedech.” This was Logan.
“And we saw Shem both young and old,” Lily reminded the others.
“So we just need to go to the Abraham story.”
“Someplace where we can talk to him.”
They all read together and decided on a part of his story where he got three heavenly visitors. Then they gathered in a circle holding hands and Logan read.
Three Visitors
They found themselves facing a sprawling misshapen tree. Abram was lying in the shade chewing on figs. He nodded. He didn't look particularly surprised to see the children again. “Back again…?”
“Yes, Mr Abram,” Logan spoke for the rest. “We wanted to ask your advice.”
“God changed my name to Abraham. And I'd be glad to listen. Don't know if I can help.”
Suddenly the whole situation of the Sqwap seemed very trivial and Logan had other questions. “How is it that you're not startled to see us?”
“Oh, Shem told me all about you guys, he learned it from his father Noah… we've been passing your story down through the family for generations. How you are children from the future and you just pop in from time to time.” He scratched his salt and pepper beard and squinted his green eyes, “Do you see something over there on the horizon?” He pointed.
They did. “There are three people walking toward this tree,” said Lily. “But they're still far off.”
Abraham got to his feet. “I'd better let Sarah know we're going to have dinner guests. Oh, hey,” he suddenly seemed aware that he'd been remiss. “Do you guys need something to eat or drink?”
“We're good.” Lucien said hastily.
“We can't eat yoy food,” Molly added.
“That's what the legends say.” Abraham headed off to the hut (kind of a yurt-like structure) where he lived.
Lucien grinned. “There are legends about us.”
After he came back he apologized for the delay. “Now what can I help you guys with?”
“It's about the sqwap we accidentally took,” Lily said, chewing her lip.
“Yeah, those guys were missed,” said Abe. “I heard they were really cute.”
“The problem is our parents are afraid of the sqwap,” Logan kicked at the sand. “They won't let him play with us.”
“You mustn't let that happen,” Abe said. “Sqwaps are companion animals. They need the love of humans in order to live. You might ask for Their help.” He motioned toward the approaching cloaked figures. They were very near and almost seemed to be gliding over the sand. It would have been frightening except that they gave off an aura of deep peace.
“Come,” Abraham beckoned to the Beings. “Please stay in my tent. My wife is preparing a meal.”
The three exchanged glances. Clearly this was not their intended destination. Then they wordlessly nodded and sat.
“Have you met my friends?” Abraham gestured toward the children, who were unusually self-controlled.
The Beings nodded and One spoke for the three. “They are known.”
“They have a little problem,” Abraham interceded for them.
“This is known,” the Being said. “They must not worry.” At this (He…?) faced the children. “All is well now.”
And it was. As Lily said later, their hearts were taken over completely with a powerful sense of calm.
So they ate. Even the children were able to partake of the meal which Sarah had prepared, and it was indescribably delicious. When the meal was over the spokesman Being turned to Abraham and said, “I will surely come back in one year, and when I do, your wife will have a son.”
At this, laughter could be heard from the yurt where Sarah was. Abraham looked apologetic. “My wife finds this humorous since she is no longer of childbearing age.”
“Nevertheless,” The Being said, and His voice was quite solemn, “It will Be.” Then, wordlessly, all three stood. “We have business,” the Being looked to the children. “It is not fit for the eyes of the young.” With that He reached out an impossibly long arm and blessed the children back into their own yurt.
Attitude Change
When they came back to themselves the adults were in the yurt, holding the little sqwap. “This poor thing was crying so much we couldn't take it,” said Auntie Gen.
“It won't eat unless it's with you guys, so,” their dad handed the sqwap to Lily, “we decided you can keep it.”
“At least until we figure out what we're supposed to do with a new species.” This was their mom. “I sure hope it can stay here in its natural habitat. Do you think there are others?” she looked to her husband, who shrugged.
“After it eats, Brody and I get to take it out for a walk,” The Bootzer's dad said.
“My turn next,” the Gonker's dad said.
The children looked from one adult to the next. Were these their same parents…?
David
The Gonker boys were hanging out in the rec yurt while the girls helped their mother pick berries. “You better not go without us,” were Lily's parting words.
But, of course, they were not going to pay any attention to her.
“So…” Lucien looked to his older brother. “You know more Bible stories.” He pushed the book toward Logan. It was open to the index, where all the possible saints in statue, window and relic were listed.
After scrolling down the list his eyes lit up. “I've got one.”
“Who?” Finne tried to grab the book from him.
“It's a surprise,” Logan was having a hard time controlling his mirth. “No, it's a good one,” he assured his brothers. “And the girls wouldn't want to go, anyway. Trust me.” Then he began to read aloud, his brothers struggling to look over his shoulder.
After much spinning they found themselves in a large tent filled with somber looking men. Suddenly the tent flap parted and a boy holding a harp strode up to the man who seemed to be in charge. The man seemed to wave him away, but the boy, who was only a couple years older than Logan, was insistent.
“I am a shepherd, Your Highness,” the Gonkers understood him clearly to say. “I know how to protect my flock. I have dealt with lions, wolves and bears.” He spoke with solemn confidence. “Please let me fight Goliath. I know exactly what to do.”
“David…!” The ruler shook his head and met the boy's eyes with a look of great fondness and pain. Then he searched the tent for any other man who would be willing to take David's place. But all avoided his gaze.
Eventually the ruler sighed and clapped his hands. He barked out instructions and his servants gathered armor with which they dressed the boy. The armor was much too large and it made him look even smaller.
Lucien sidled up to David. “Aren't you scared of him?”
“Of Goliath? No. Why would I be?”
“Everybody else is,” Logan pointed out.
“I'd rather face him than a bear who's angry because I just took his dinner.” His greenish eyes were determined. “I've done that quite a few times. Anyway, somebody has to. He said if our champion doesn't beat him, then we have to become slaves to the Amalekites. I'm not going to let that happen to the people I love.”
Battle
They followed him to the same field by the same misshapen tr
ee where Abraham had met his three visitors. Only the great oak was enormous, gnarled and impressive now. There were two armies facing each other, each outfitted with weapons. Suddenly the most enormous soldier stepped out from the army facing the boys. He shouted something which caused the men surrounding the Gonkers to cower and shrink back. David shrugged. “May God be with me,” he said. Then he looked at the crowd and rolling his eyes slightly, muttered something under his breath. He bent and picked up five small round stones. Then, taking off the oversized protective gear he had been given, “Do you mind holding these for me?” he asked before thrusting the getup into Logan's arms.
Resolutely he faced the gigantic soldier. “In the name of the people of Israel, I am here to accept your challenge,” he shouted.
The giant growled and, when the boy was unfazed he snorted and spat on the ground angrily.
“Either get off of our land and leave us alone or face the consequences!” David said this bravely, but even the Gonkers had to admit he and the giant were a pathetic mismatch.
This time the beast of a man laughed, but it wasn't a pleasant sound.
When David continued to stand his ground Goliath let out an unearthly roar and charged toward the boy, his broadsword raised.
Fitting one of the smooth stones into a slingshot David took aim and let fly. The stone hit the great monster of a man right between his eyes and he fell, his momentum carrying him almost to David's feet.
The Hebrew camp erupted into a shout of joy and everyone was hugging everyone else. The only person who looked somber was David. Logan and the other boys brought him his armor. “Here's your stuff. Are you all right?”
David was sitting on the ground, hugging his knees. “It isn't the same as killing a bear,” he said.
“You did good,” Finne told him. “You saved everyone.”
David didn't say anything. He just reached for the armor and when he touched Logan's arm the boys were sent back to their own time.