Shoes for the Shepherd

    IT WAS MID-AFTERNOON THE NEXT day before Michah returned. He
carried in his arms a fairly good -sized lamb its woolly hide shining
in the sunlight.
    Jubal took the lamb from the boy who released it reluctantly,
holding on for a brief moment before letting it go. The old man held
the lamb gently out of respect for the sacrifice it was about to make
and in an effort to let the boy understand that he also understood the
unspoken pain Michah was suffering.
    Jubal knew the skin of this lamb would be soft and supple after
tanning and would be a comfort to any foot wrapped in its leather.
The boy had brought him a perfect animal and he would see to it
that the end result would be a masterpiece, beyond the sandals he
had made for the priests.
    The old man ran his fingers through the wool again, turned to
Michah and asked, "You say these sandals are for a rabbi? If they
are so important then perhaps we should have the lamb blessed. You
know I make shoes for the temple priests; would you be willing to
go with me to Jerusalem and ask one of the priests who is my friend
for that blessing?"
    ON FRIDAY THE BOY CAME early just past the time when the sun was
at its highest, for the six miles of dusty road they would walk would
take time and they would need more time to wash their feet before
entering The Temple.
    Michah slipped the rope he'd brought around the neck of the
lamb slung the bag with the challah loaves his mother had wrapped
in clean cloths over his should and he and Jubal began their trek to
the city.
    The road to Jerusalem was wide and many travelers were met
or followed along its straight course. Merchants from Hebron and
Beersheba pulled carts with goods from their cities. Holy men dressed
in the skins of wild animals passed quietly, their pace quickening as
the walls of the great city and temple came into view the better to
be nearer their God.
    The hours drifted by as the two travelers walked slowly for there
was no need to hasten. They had allowed the time for a more leisurely
walk. Occasionally they would stop to rest and allow the lamb to
graze what little grass there was along the roadway.