Living the Dream
by Haim Kadman
I was watching
the herd with my young brother and several more
hands near the main tent, when the master came
out raised his arm and summoned me in. I left the
herd to my brother and hurried to the main tent.
‘Sit down,’
he said as I stooped at the low entrance and
hastened to reach him. ‘I want you to go to
Haran tomorrow at dawn, meet my relatives and
choose a match for my eldest.’
I couldn’t
object of course, but that’s going to be
some journey. He realized how I felt right away,
it was written all over my face. But I knew it
wouldn’t make any difference.
‘It’s
time he should raise his own family and repalce
me, when I’ll join my ancestors.’
The next
morning I set out for Haran riding my donkey with
enough provisions and water, after having taken
leave of my wives and the rest of my household,
and having prayed to my household idols.
It must have
been a long journey, I can’t remember how
long it took, but I found myself next to the well
in Haran just before dusk, tired and thirsty,
watching young women filling their jars with
water. I was exhausted it seems, I didn’t
move I didn’t think – till I made up my
mind what to do next, they were gone the lot of
them. I’ve lost my chance I thought
desperate almost; but there came another one all
alone, and she was beautiful, like the full moon
at midnight – Ishtar the goddess of
feritility in human disguise.
I went over to
the well at ease, taking care not to frighten her.
As soon as she filled her jar I asked her to let
me drink a few drops of water, and right
afterwards I asked her name.
‘Rebecca’
she said.
‘What’s
your father name Becky?’ I asked her.
She blushed
snatched her jar and ran away, vanished...
I forgot my
master’s instructions, I wanted her all to
myself. ‘Becky!’ I cried out and ran
after her, lost my way and woke up perplexed. I
was alone in the wide bed and the sun had risen
long ago. I went to the kitchen and there she was,
not Becky.
‘Coffee,’
she asked.
‘Yes
please,’ I replied and sat next to the table,
clearing loudly my throat.
‘Who’s
Becky?’
‘Oh you
mean bechie (weeping in Hebrew), I’d a
dreadful dream.’ I hastened to explain.
‘I’m late.’ I added.
‘If it just a dream no harm done. It’s
Friday you won’t be late for work, and no
boss would get on your nerves. Shall I pour you a
second cup?’
‘Sure and
make it stonger please. What time is it?’
‘Nine
thirty.’
‘I’m
going to see my barber.’
What for?
You’ve just trimmed your beard last week.’
‘I want
to shave it, it’s hot you know.’
‘Do as
you please,’ she replied indifferently.
I couldn’t
tell her that I wish to look a bit younger for
Becky, I thought as I sat opposite the wide
looking glass watching my face, under the
auspices of my barber.
‘I
didn’t expect to see you so soon.’ He
remarked a bit worried. ‘Is there anything
wrong with…?’
‘Oh no.
not at all, I just want you to shave my beard.’
‘But why?’
He asked utterly surprised.
‘I wanna
look a bit younger.’
‘And
who’s the cause? What’s her name?’
I wasn’t
going to betray Becky, not even to my barber.
‘There’s no one, I need a change
that’s all.’
‘I’ve
ruined my master piece,’ he said as soon as
he finished shaving my face.
‘You may
frame it for all I care.’ I said and we both
had a good laugh.
I watched my
new face in the mirror and I haven’t seen
much improvement; but anyhow it would surely
impress Becky’s fater. I bet he hasn’t
seen a shaved face all his life.
‘Yeah,
have a good look at your face,’ said my
barber. See what a job I did, you look swell and
it’s my doing. The moment you’ll leave
my joint, you’ll cause a traffice jam.
‘Really,’
I almost laughed in his face. I went out made a
few steps, and by God and the idol of my tent,
there was a traffic jam in both directions…
Well, but at
that hour in my crowded town there’re always
traffic jams. I woke up a second time in the same
morning. Well that’s life with its ups and
downs… I thought amused and headed back home.
Haim
Kadman 2007 © All rights reserved.
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