Duncan remained asleep on the floor. It wasn’t worth waking up. Bailey didn't give up so easily. She was remembering the times when they had travelled through time and seen exciting things. She wished that she could make things like that happen again, but she knew that it didn't happen that way. It wasn’t something you could make happen. It had been three years since anything like that had happened. She knew it couldn’t happen now to a grown girl. Those had just been childish dreams.
She said, “We’ve got to do something.” Without thinking of how it would help, or if it was a good idea, she said, “Let’s do The Bunch. We’ll do a ‘don’t be bored’ one that goes on until we feel good.” She hesitated, feeling foolish. She wasn’t a little child anymore. Was this really a good idea, or was it just boredom making a foolish, childish idea sound good? Then she said, “Let’s just do it.”
Bailey and Bear stood up and joined hands. Bear gave the sleeping Duncan a nudge with his foot. Duncan stood, shaking the sleep out of his head and joined hands to complete the circle. Then they began to dance up and down, shouting
“Paw to paw, hand to hand,
Together we will stand.
We will not be bored
We are the Bailey Bunch.”
All this time they were dancing and jumping up and down.
“Of boredom we will have none,
Of adventure we need a ton.
We are the ----”
Under their feet there was a groaning sound, followed by a loud crack.
They were falling.
Duncan was still cranky after being woken up. He had a slight snarl on his face. Grumpily, he said, “Bear, you shouldn’t have been jumping. You’re far too big and heavy. You’ve broken the floor. We’re going to be killed when we hit the concrete.”
Bailey interjected, “Duncan! Be quiet. We do not fight. We are the Bailey Bunch.”
In surprise, they realized that they had not hit the concrete. They just kept falling. A loud groaning and rattling noise was coming from above and all around them. They continued to fall for what seemed to be a long time. Then they came to a clanking, juddering stop.
As the Bailey Bunch steadied themselves, struggling to keep balance, a slow speaking, mechanical voice said,
"“Ground floor, Jerusalem, Year 32, Beware of the opening door.
A door was slowly sliding open in front of them. Not wanting to be trapped inside, they stepped out and looked around. Bailey could see that there were crowds of people, many wearing clothes that were similar to those she had worn when she was in the area close to Jerusalem during the time of The Second Kingdom. She remembered that the loosely hanging garments she had worn then were cool and comfortable.
There were people everywhere. It hadn’t been like this before, so she asked someone what was happening and was told that this was the feast of Pentecost, the biggest festival of the year.
Because of the crowds, Bear and Bailey kept close together but Duncan wandered around everywhere between people’s legs as if he owned the place. They knew there was no need to be worried about Duncan; he could find his way back to them anytime he chose. His nose would pick up their scent.
Then Bear stumbled. A heavily laden donkey had jostled against him. It was being led by an elderly, oriental man who apologised and explained that he was a trader from China. He was here because there was good money to be made in Jerusalem at this time of the year. Spices from the east were in high demand.
He suggested that if they wanted to go through the crowd a little further, they should follow close behind his donkey. He and the donkey would make a path for them. As they walked together, he continued to explain to them that he always came to Jerusalem at this time of the year. “I manage well enough to trade but I still don’t understand the language very well. It’s difficult because, at this time of the year, there are people here from every nation on earth.” They could see that this was the case, not everyone spoke the common language of Greek.
The man turned in surprise as Duncan spoke, “If you come every year, you may know a friend of ours. He was a great teacher and healer. His name was Saviour, the son of The Great One.”
“A truly remarkable man,” said the man with the donkey. “It is such a pity that he died.”
Bailey was about to tell him what they knew and how they had seen him alive after the time of his death, but they were distracted by the sound of a strong wind in the trees nearby. Hastily, they looked around for shelter. They would need to be quick. There would not be shelter for many if a storm came quickly.
As they looked around, their need for shelter was replaced by growing amazement. All around, the leaves of the trees were hanging still. There was no wind, but something was happening. As well as the noise from the ‘wind’ there was a strong display of lightning just ahead of them. It was incredible. There was no thunder and there were no clouds. This was something they must investigate. They continued ahead as fast as the donkey would allow them. In fact, the whole crowd was surging ahead toward whatever was happening.
It soon became clear that this was no storm. What had appeared to be lightning was, in fact, some strange phenomenon, or apparition. Just ahead of them, in an open room on top of one of the larger buildings was a group of people. Bear estimated there were about three hundred of them.
Hovering over the heads of this group was a large ball of flickering fire. Bailey, Bear and Duncan froze in shock. What was this? It was no ordinary fire. Whatever it was it was powerful. Even from where they were standing, they could feel a power emanating from it. Bear was trembling. “It’s a Spirit; there is a Presence in the room.” Fear gripped the crowd.
Duncan had been sniffing for scent while the crowd stood motionless, their eyes wide with fear. Then, without warning, disaster struck. The flaming mass exploded into many parts and landed on the heads of the group on the rooftop.
Fear gave way to awe as it became obvious that this was no ordinary fire. There was no disaster. Nobody was burned, but the fires continued to be seen, burning on each person’s head. It seemed to cause nobody in the group any harm. In fact, it emphasised the fact that they all belonged together. Our three friends understood this kind of bonding. They had their own togetherness as the Bailey Bunch.
The fire seemed to affect the group on the rooftop in an exciting way. They became very animated and began speaking loudly. It was obvious that they had important things to say.
Bailey decided that she wanted to hear what was being said. Immediately she had made that decision, something changed. Even before she could move closer she could hear a couple of them talking together as clearly as if they were standing beside her. Her astonishment and delight grew as she realized that they were talking in English, with an Australian accent.
Close by she heard somebody sobbing. Looking around she noticed her friend with the donkey. He was weeping. It was not sadness that was bringing the tears, but joy, so intense that he could not contain it. Noticing Bailey looking at him, he said, “It is so long since I have heard my own dialect spoken.”
Bear tugged at Bailey’s sleeve. When she looked at him she saw such delight that she nearly joined the weeping. Bear said, “I feel so alive. I didn’t know I could still understand bear talk. I thought it had been lost in the stuffing.”
Duncan gave a long yodelling yelp that could only be pure Beagle and exclaimed delightedly, “It’s the Spirit of Saviour, son of The Great One, come to us. His friends are up there. I’m going to join them.”
He scurried off so quickly that there was nothing any of them could do to stop him. They saw him darting around between the legs of the group that was now the centre of so much attention. He seemed to be listening attentively, as well as sniffing for clues like a doggy detective. They could not see if he had his own little flame on his head. But they could see that he was delighted by what he was discovering.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
- DUNCAN FINDS A NEW FRIEND
The whole scene ahead of them was so amazing that it was disturbing, an assault on their senses. There was both excitement and anger in the crowd. Most were surging forward, wanting to be part of what was happening but others were becoming upset. For them, this was a disruption to their lives and business. They only heard the noise. They did not hear words that could be understood, just a confusion of voices. Angrily, they began to shout, “Drunkards! Riot! Police! Clear the area.”
Meanwhile, something new was happening on the rooftop. A burly, suntanned man came to the front of the group, seemingly unaware of the flame still visibly rising from the top of his head. Then, with a rippling of well-developed muscles, he gestured for the crowd to be quiet. It was as if that gesture contained some kind of magic. The people went silent.
He began to speak. “First let me demolish a false rumour. This mob is not drunk. These blokes haven’t been to the pub. Use your noggin mates. The pubs aren’t open yet.” This is how Bailey heard it, in dinkum, even exaggerated Aussie dialect.
The speaker, whom they would later come to know as Peter, went on to explain. He told them that what they were seeing was something that The Great One was doing. The flames, the sound of wind, and the ability to hear everything in their own language was due to the presence of the Holy Spirit, the new Presence that had come to be with them. He reminded them that their own teachings in the Jewish Book of Writings contained the promise that this would happen.
Then he continued to demolish another myth. “Saviour, whom we follow, was not a criminal, even though the courts condemned him. You may well ask how do we know this? We know it to be absolutely true because The Great One has declared it to be so.”
The crowd began to mumble among themselves. He continued, “Wait! I am not some religious crazy. The reign of this Saviour has been promised for a long time.
When your courts declared him to be guilty and had him put to death, The Great One proclaimed him to be King by taking him right through death and bringing him back to life. Yes, he was dead, dead until the third day. Then The Great One unlocked the gate and let him return to life, leaving the way open so we can follow without being trapped by death.
If you find this too incredible to believe, you can check up on the facts. He was seen alive by many people, including most of us up here. Ask around. Check it out. If you don’t believe that evidence, look around at what is happening right now. Isn’t it clear that The Great One is pretty excited about something?”
He went on explaining for some time and asked his listeners to declare themselves to be among those who wanted to be followers of Saviour, King of all the earth.
There was a great stir among the people as a result of this. It was indeed an enormous stirring as about three thousand people surged forward to claim a place as one of Saviour’s followers. This was the beginning of a great time for the followers of The Way.
Neither Bailey nor Bear had given any thought to Duncan during all this excitement until Bailey felt a furry body rubbing against her legs. Duncan looked up at Bear and Bailey. He welcomed himself back into the group of friends by giving them a good licking then said, “I’ve got a new friend. His name is Peter. He wants us to join him.” Duncan stood tall, raised his head up high like the leader of an imperial force and said, in a commanding voice, “Follow me.”
Bailey and Bear raised their eyebrows, looked at each other and fell into step behind him, marching like soldiers. They pushed their way through the crowd and climbed the stairs to the rooftop where a voice greeted them.
“Ha! Yes, you were right, my little furry friend. These indeed are worthy friends of The Great One and now, friends of mine also if they will allow it to be so.”
Bailey looked up into the eyes of the strong, handsome man who had spoken so well to the crowd, the man she thought of as the one with the fire on his head. She reached out and took his hand. He shook it as if she were a grown woman. The fire of the Spirit surged through her and she knew that there was no distinction between child and adult in Saviour’s kingdom, only followers. She felt tall and strong. She looked at Bear. There was no need to worry about Bear. He was standing beside Peter as if they had always been friends. She was surprised to realize that Bear was so big. He was nearly as tall as Peter. She had to admit that her friend, Bear, was a good-looking fellow.
Peter seemed to enjoy their company and said one word, “Come.” Bear and Bailey were holding his hands while Duncan walked behind. He did feel a little left out, but he had difficulty walking if he tried to hold hands. As they walked, Peter told them that they were going just a little way to Isaac Street. “I live there with the mother of the woman who was my wife before she was taken from me by fever.”
When they arrived at the house they went inside and were greeted by a kind faced woman who looked quite old to Bailey but she greeted them kindly and welcomed them. The house consisted of just two rooms with an upstairs area which took up the entire rooftop space. It was to this area that she led them saying, “You may like to sleep up here.”
About one third of the rooftop was screened off and covered by a roof of its own. Bailey looked at that area and thought that they would like it there. Peter’s mother in law explained that they also had their meals in the open area unless the weather was bad.
Bailey was very interested in all that Myrna, Peter’s mother in law, had to say. She followed her downstairs and offered to help in preparing the meal. What she really wanted was to be able to find out more about Peter and his household.
While she was busying herself with the preparation of the meal Myrna kept chatting and constantly referring to a group which she called The Way. “I’m sorry,” Bailey said, “I don’t understand. What is The Way?”
“No, don’t apologise. I keep forgetting that you are a newcomer. You seem to be so much one of us. The Way is the name that the followers of Saviour have given themselves.”
“I like that,” Bear said. “They are followers, not leaders. The Spirit has been sent by Saviour to be their leader. They follow in the way he shows. They are the army of The Great One, establishing his kingdom.” Bear had not lost his wisdom.
Duncan walked into the room and looked around. The cooking area and serving tables were full of food. He couldn’t help it. He began to drool. Myrna looked down at him and smiled. Seemingly by accident she knocked a piece of freshly cooked mutton from the bench and, by the same kind of chance, it fell almost under Duncan’s nose. The wide grin on his face was enough thanks for Myrna.
Bear looked at her and said, “I wish I was more like Duncan. He enjoys life so much. He is so spontaneous. I think too much.”
Myrna replied, “You know, I remember Saviour saying something like that when he was with us. He said that if we wanted to be part of his kingdom we would need to become like little children.”
Bailey was thoughtful for a moment and said, “You are right. He could just as easily have said to become like Beagles.” Duncan went on licking his lips.
Myrna gave them a mischievous grin and took pity on them by answering the question that was in all their minds. “Yes, there is a reason for having so much food. We don’t know how many there will be for the meal tonight. The people of The Way are so excited by what The Great One is doing in Jerusalem that nobody eats alone. Everybody wants to know what is happening and what The Great One is doing and saying, so we share meals and talk.
If there is food left over, I will take it to some of the poorer families in Jerusalem and share it with them. It gives me an opportunity to talk with them and answer questions.”
In this way the number of followers of Saviour kept increasing rapidly. There were thousands in Jerusalem now.
TIME TO PAUSE AGAIN
If you are enjoying this story, make this pause brief. The child within you will want to get back to reading. Select the incident that most gripped your atten
tion and imagine that event happening to, or around, you. Share your experience.
CHAPTER TWELVE- THE HAPPY LAME MAN
They soon discovered that this meal sharing was happening right throughout Jerusalem, wherever there were followers of Saviour. It was part of the excitement that was building throughout the city. Thousands of people were meeting in small groups, sharing what they were doing, what they were seeing and what the Spirit of The Mighty One was saying and doing. There were reports of dreams and visions, all sealed by unbelievable signs through healings that could, in no sensible world, be happening. This was to be impressed in the memories of the Bailey Bunch shortly by what they were later to think of as ‘The Event.’
It happened the next day, shortly after lunch. Bear remembers it as being about three o’clock in the afternoon. They were wandering along toward the Jewish temple area with Peter and John. They did this most days. There was nothing unusual about what they were doing, no unusual sense of excitement or anticipation. They were simply going to pray and share what was happening with other members of The Way, and with anyone else who was interested.
As they approached the gate to the temple courtyard, a man grabbed their attention by calling loudly to Peter and John by name. They recognised him easily as one of the street people who gathered there to ask for help to support their families. “Please, just a small coin. Look at me. Nobody will employ me. I can’t work. I have no other means of income, except to beg.”
Bailey, looking on, could feel the tears welling in her eyes. The man’s legs were twisted and without muscle. Somebody must have carried him here because he could not walk. She thought that she could see tears in Peter’s eyes also. Peter looked at the man and said, “I am sorry but I have no money on me. However, I do have something that I can give you. Will you accept that?”
“I have learned not to be proud,” the man replied. “If it will help I will use it.”
Peter reached out and took the man by the hand and said, “In the name of Saviour, Son of The Great One, stand up.” Still holding his hand, Peter helped him to his feet. The amazed man looked down and saw his legs, strong and firm, supporting him solidly on the ground. Weeping and laughing, overwhelmed with joy, he began dancing and singing as he followed them into the temple courtyard. He was out of control with happiness. He could not, even for a moment, pause in his exuberant expression of delight. He wasn’t the only one who was excited. The whole crowd was overcome with a surge of astonishment and began jostling for position. There was nobody in the whole crowd who was not determined to gain the best position to see what was happening.