The Mount of Olives: 11 declarations to an extraordinary life by Ivanov Michael

Author:Ivanov, Michael [Ivanov, Michael]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: SpeakLife
Published: 2017-07-11T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter 10. “Always persist”

Legs aching from the previous day’s journey, Felix wondered if he could get through yet another full day of walking. While he prayed they would no longer face difficult terrain, he was determined not be the first to quit for a break.

They strapped the cart to the donkey again and Felix went around to fetch the camel in the stable behind the inn. It was a gentle animal but he cautiously secured the leather strap around its jaw imitating what Haziq had done. The boy had seen camels bite and despite the humor he found in it, it looked painful.

He gazed at the layers of clean, dry hay in the stable, and the indentation where the camel had been lying. Even the camel must have had a great sleep. He imagined what it would be like to lie back down in the hay the camel had warmed, and enjoy a few more hours of sweet slumber.

The innkeeper was already up, tending to the fire in the dining hall as Haziq approached him. Handing over a few coins, Haziq asked him to take care of the injured man until he was well. On the return trip to Caesarea, he would stop and pay whatever the innkeeper felt was a fair price. The boy admired Haziq’s care for this complete stranger—just as he had shown care to this man, he had also taken the boy, a runaway mute, under his own wing for the past month.

Much of the road had been desert but every few miles, where there was even a tiny stream, palm trees grew thick and curved upwards to the sky. The grass was greener than he had ever seen and he pulled his sandals off every time they stopped at an oasis for the animals to drink. He dunked his face in the cold water and pushed his bare feet into the grass, feeling it between his toes.

I bet olive trees grow better in this land than any other.

***

Felix could see the enormous wall towering in the distance. It had been torn down and rebuilt time after time and the distinct color of brick revealed the history of each layer. He spotted the massive temple, dedicated to the God of the Jews by The Great King, emerging among the sea of smaller clay buildings.

The endless squeak of the cart wheels finally ceased as they arrived at an inn just outside of the city wall. It was late afternoon and Haziq paid for their stay, ready to retire from the long journey, but curiosity had overtaken the boy. He kept turning over his shoulders to gaze at the walls as they unpacked the animals, fed, and watered them. As soon as they were done, he headed for the city.

Jerusalem was far from anything that resembled Rome. The soldiers posted on street corners were the only indication of Roman control.

It was very much alive in the evening as caravans, carts, donkeys, and camels entered the gates with him as he walked.

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