Demetrius' Story, Step 24

Step 24

Enosh paused while stacking bales of wool, and watched Timur work, making bales out of the raw fleeces piled on one side of the room. He wiped the gathered sweat from his forehead with a small scrap of cloth and rested. Despite his status as a slave, Timur devoted himself to his labors. Enosh appreciated his young charges willingness to work hard at the tasks assigned. He worked hard and he worked with an equanimity that seemed beyond his years. Enosh found Timur had a joyful sense of humor. He and Nuria often laughed together in the cool of evening after the day’s chores had ended. Enosh wondered how they could face life as slaves and still laugh. They seemed to take pleasure in doing a job well, finding satisfaction in little things. As he watched, he noticed that Timur still struggled to get the binding twine tight.

“Here let me show you again,” Enosh interrupted, “When you pull the twine tight, give it another twist. The friction will hold it long enough for you to make the cross tie. It takes that extra twist to make it work.”

“Like this,” Timur copied Enosh’s example with surprising skill?

“Yes, exactly.”

“Thank you,” the young boy seemed very pleased with the neater bundle.

“You’re welcome,” Enosh replied, surprised that he too felt pride at the youth’s success. That was another thing. He found that he enjoyed working with Timur. Timur was not surly or a complainer. He paid attention, accepted instruction, and took pride in a job well done. He was not like any slave that Enosh had known. He was singular…well almost singular.

Enosh thought of Alter. Alter and Timur were similar in their quiet demeanor and careful attention to detail. But there was a difference. Though Alter was completely competent and trustworthy, he carried a deep emotional wound, one that occasionally showed itself in a flash of dark anger. Timur would do well under the tutelage of the older shepherd. Soon Enosh and Timur would visit the fold near Bethlehem and inspect the flocks. Enosh would leave Timur with Alter to help with the growing flocks. He trusted Alter to do a good job teaching Timur the ins and outs of being a good shepherd. Timur would learn quickly and thrive in that environment. And Enosh, well Enosh found he would miss the young boy.