PHARAOHS

Moses

Moses is a Jew but wasn’t always one. When he was pulled up from the river Nile and adopted by an Egyptian princess named Bithiah. She named the boy Moses which means “pulled out from the river”. Ramses grew up alongside Moses, his brother by adoption, and had fun with him. They were a perfect team together but Moses even if had everything felt a longing, for something or someone in his heart. Moses fought enemies of Egypt and was strong, mighty and brave unlike Ramses who resort to peace, though he battled many wars and won them, and not much of a talent in engineering, things that their King opposes of his character always comparing him to Moses.

One time, when Moses came from a battle and won it, he saw Pharaoh (Ramses I) and Ramses arguing about a construction that seemed to have taken too long to build. Moses joked about his brother’s laziness and lack of talent, so he annoyingly and proudly gave a suggestion and tried to persuade Pharaoh to follow his instructions, which was easier, taking a shorter period of time building the structure. Moses said he will build his father’s statue and some animal with a face of a human, a god or their deities. Pharaoh agreed to it and was glad to have listened to his son’s suggestion. He looked dismayed at Ramses and Moses laughed. Ramses was angry and retreated somewhere hurt and couldn’t believe that Moses did that to embarrass him in front of their father. But he is used to Moses being the favorite of the Pharaoh. He never complained nor hated Moses. He loves Moses with all his heart since he knew that he is his brother.

Moses sought for Ramses and couldn’t find him anywhere but…

‘Akhwet’ (Brother), what are you doing there? Father is looking for you, are you mad at me?!, Moses added smiling at his brother being a jealous baby. Ah!, Moses, I could never be mad at you, you are my brother!, Ramses said while brooding hurts on top of a tall statue outside the palace near the families temple.

I think Mother is calling us now for the banquet, come down there and let’s proceed to the feast, I have won the war after all!, Moses cried opening his arms wide to hug Ramses. Ramses smiled, jumped from the top of the statue and hurriedly wrapped his arms around Moses. They laughed together and Ramses messed Moses’ hair which the latter growled in protest. Ramses just laughed and ran away from Moses who ran after the culprit for his revenge.

Meda a midianite woman was captured from merchants at a slave trade in Thebes and was given to Moses as his present. Ramses said that he could do anything with her after making his bed warmer the night and the succeeding nights after. Then he laughed while Pharaoh and Bithiah are looking and smiling at Ramses naughtiness. Pharaoh whispered to Bithiah that Ramses is only good with women and bedding them but not ruling the land. Bithiah giggled and shook her head while smiling proudly at Moses for his victory over the enemies of Egypt.

Moses thanked his brother, is mother, father and the people for the gift and recognition but the night when the woman was placed in his bedroom, he felt pity on her. He asked her name but she didn’t answer. She is beautiful but her eyes seemed scared and very sad. Moses asd her why, and she responded that her people are slaves to Egypt. Many Israelites, Canaanites along with other slaves toil in building the Pharaoh’s pyramids and monuments. Midianites though they don’t believe in God or Ra, they live peacefully in the rich soils of Thebes. However, some of them are traded to become slaves and prostitutes for the leaders, rich men of Egypt, Mesopotamia and many more.

Moses knew about the s*****y and cruelties but not until he ran after Meda, he then passed the Israelites shanties, sleeping, squatting far from the palace and the pyramids. These people have been slaves for Egypt for many years and haven’t complained about their case. They believe that their God will save them, thus, I don’t know about their god but only Egyptian deities.

I ran after Meda but couldn’t find the girl, instead accidentally bumped into another girl and when she saw me, she tried to touch my face, and…

You dare touch a Prince of Egypt?, Moses cried out and pushed the woman who fell down hard on the ground. A man came up to intercede when Moses was about to slap the woman in front of him. Forgive her my Lord! She must’ve mistaken you for someone we lost a long time ago, he added standing in front of the woman who is still down and helped her up to leave the prince’s sight so as not to get whipped for their insolence of a royalty.

Wait! Who did you lose?, the girl and man about to walk away when Moses asked and as if curious about them. His heart is overflowing with peace having this little talk with them. The feeling is like speaking to someone he had been looking for ever since he can remember. Our brother!, the man said smiling. I am Aaron, your majesty and this is my sister, Miriam. We were just walking to the river to get water to prepare for our breakfast, would you like to join us….

Ah, yes, ah no!!!, but I am Moses!, the prince said cutting his tongue. He saw them as if seeing himself in them. Their color is the same as his and he has a mustache which looks the same as this Aaron but his is overgrown. He looked as if he came from their lineage, but why is he an Egyptian. Yes, we know!

Okay, then!, Moses’ reply with a smile, since he couldn’t refuse a kind gesture. Moses was wearing white Egyptian khalt and kilt with gold trimmings in them. He forgot to wear his neme since running after a Midianite woman earlier to ask her about the people she was talking about, the people that Egypt is enslaving right now.