Joseph, The Great Servant

CHAPTER 4. THE FIRST TIME JOSEPH SAW THE STAFF-1

CHAPTER 4. THE FIRST TIME JOSEPH SAW THE STAFF

By the time Joseph was sixteen, he was accustomed to going out hunting with his father, and whilst hunting he was taught how to handle all manner of weapons. He learnt how to use a sling and to fire arrows from a bow, as well as practising with both a whip and a sword. Above all, he was an expert in getting beaten up whenever he tried to defend himself with a staff. In fact, he got beaten up so many times that, according to his father, "whenever I send him off to train with a staff, he won’t stop moaning". However, it was necessary as this was one of the most used weapons at that time.

One day, while hunting with his bow, he caught sight of a rustling in some bushes and thought it was a rabbit. So, taking his bow in his hand, he took aim. As the arrow was leaving his bow, he had just enough time to divert it because it wasn’t a rabbit that he had seen, but rather his own father sleeping behind a bush.

His father hadn’t the slightest idea about what had happened because the arrow hadn’t hit him, but Joseph had been given such a fright that from then on whenever he went out hunting, he made sure that all those who accompanied him stayed behind him. Unfortunately, this didn’t please his hunting companions who protested saying,

"Well, anyone can be good at hunting in these circumstances. If the rest of us have to stay back, you’ll get to shoot first and you’ll always be more successful than anyone else.”

However, going back to the story, when Joseph’s father woke up, he found that his son was a bag of nerves. On top of that, Joseph’s father had no idea why he and Joseph were getting into such a heated quarrel. Joseph said to him,

"What on earth possessed you to take a nap behind a bush? Didn’t you realise that anyone hunting close by could have mistaken you for a rabbit and could have hurt or even killed you?”

And so, without having the faintest idea why, Joseph’s father had to endure his son’s anger, as well as thanking him for the concern he was showing about his wellbeing.

Sometime later, the boy told him what had happened and why he did not want anyone to go ahead of him whenever they went out hunting. His father laughed out loud at this, saying,

“You almost killed me, then you scold me and make such a fuss, after which, I go and thank you” and then he said, “I do think it’s a prudent measure to keep everybody back while hunting, but you must give the others the opportunity to shoot first. Otherwise it will seem as though you are taking advantage of the situation.”

These things may seem like small details in the life of a young provincial boy, as Joseph was at that time. However, it would make a much greater impression on him later in his life.

This happened when he and some companions of around his age were riding to the capital. At this point in the journey, Joseph was riding on his own at a short distance behind the rest of them. In the middle of the road his companions encountered a poor old man who could barely walk due to the large bundle of firewood he was carrying on his back. He was on his way to the capital to sell it in the market.

As they were passing, the old man fell to the ground and Joseph’s companions, instead of getting down to help him or to see if he had been badly hurt, began to mock him. The old man looked so frightened on finding himself in amongst the hooves of their horses that he was too afraid to shout or cry out.

Unfortunately, one of the horses trampled on his leg and immediately broke it. This time, the old man did shout out, and it was so loud and so full of pain that the young men on horseback fell silent. On realising what they had done, they galloped away.

Joseph had seen everything at some distance behind his companions, and although he had also laughed at first, he hadn’t gotten involved. He stayed behind, got off his horse and tried to help the old man, but the old man was filled with so much anger that he hit Joseph on the head with his staff. Joseph looked at him and said,

“Well it serves me right for having laughed instead of defending you, so I’d say we’re even. Now, let me help you! Tell me, where can I take you? After all, you can’t walk.”

“I have to go to the city to sell this firewood because it’s my only way of making a living” answered the old man when he had calmed down a bit.

“Don’t worry about that!” said Joseph, “I’ll buy all your firewood. Now tell me, what’s your name and where can I take you?”

“My name is Joseph and I’m a carpenter. There was a time when I had money, but that was long ago. Now, I’m so old that I cannot work, so all I do now is collect and sell firewood. My wife Mary and I make a living as best as we can with whatever I’m paid” the old man replied.

This surprised the boy, because the old man was also called Joseph, and at the same time it also reminded him of that girl who had the same name as the man’s wife. As he was pondering this strange coincidence, he realised that the old man was still lying on the floor whimpering as clutching his injured leg. Joseph carefully helped him onto his horse, but just as he was about to set off, the old man said,

"Sir, the wood!” and pointed at the bundle on the ground.

Joseph picked it up, put it on his horse and said to the old man,

“Show me the way, and I'll take you home.”

When they arrived at the old man’s home, Joseph saw a workshop that must have been a large and important one in its day due to its size, but now it looked as though it was falling apart!

An old woman, trembling with fear and who could hardly stand, came out of the house. She asked about what had happened and the old man told her everything while Joseph remained silent.

When the old woman had calmed down a little, Joseph took the old man in his arms and managed to get him inside the house. For its large size, the interior was so wretched and paltry that Joseph did not want to stay in it any longer than was necessary. He asked the old woman,

“Where does he normally lay down to rest?” He didn’t dare say bed since he didn’t even know if they had one.

She replied that they slept on the floor, on some mats and skins.

On having placed the old man on the mats, he was about to leave when the old man said to him,

"Look, since you have a good heart and are kind, can you do me one last favour and get some water from the well? My wife doesn’t have the strength to lift the bucket.”

Joseph did what they asked and drew water from the well. The well was deep, and the bucket was heavy, but he managed it and with bucket in hand, he said to the old woman,

“Tell me where to put the water because your husband didn’t say.” And he went on to ask, “How does he manage to do this? The bucket is extremely heavy.”

“Our ages weigh us down much more than any bucket, not to mention the ingratitude of people like your companions. As soon as you came in here, you took one look around and thought about leaving straight away without making up for the terrible injury that your friends have caused” replied the old woman.

“You’re right about what I was thinking, and I apologise for that. Even so, I still have time to make amends for what the others have done. Please, allow me to help you both," said Joseph, ashamed.

And as he was saying this, he knelt by the old man's side and drew back the cloth that was covering his leg. As he looked at it, he realised that it was hopeless. The old man’s leg had been crushed and there was no way that those old bones would ever heal; they had been crushed. Joseph turned back to the old woman, saying,

"Look, I know nothing about how to heal someone, but tell me what jobs he normally does, and I'll try to help as best as I can!"

The old woman told him to go into the forest to search for some herbs, and then cut down some tree branches and strip them of leaves and twigs, as well as other tasks. The boy hurried off into the forest and did what he had been told, coming back the next day with everything she had asked of him. He was surprised not to see the old man lying down and looking half dead. In fact, the old man appeared to be much better, and there was hardly a sign of any wound at all on his leg. Turning to the old woman, he asked in amazement,

“What have you given him to bring about such a miracle as this? The last time I saw his leg, it was in such a state that there seemed to be no hope that it would ever heal. And now, only one day later, I see that he can just about walk.”

“Listen, your kindness, humility and generosity have been the best treatment I could have had. Now put all that down and follow me!” said the old man.

Joseph couldn’t believe his eyes when the old man got up without any effort. The old man said to him,

"Come, I'll show you my carpentry workshop and you'll see what can be done in it.”

So, the old man set about teaching him how to use all the tools in his workshop, which, although old, were kept in good condition. He showed him some examples of his work that he kept as samples to show people what he could do. The old man said,

“In a year or so with a bit of effort, you could also achieve wonders if you wanted to. It all depends on how willing you are to learn and the effort you’re prepared to put in to achieve it. Anyone who gives a hundred percent and puts everything into any project can achieve success. However, if you do something half-heartedly, you’ll get nothing and all you’ll have done is waste your own time. If you want, I’ll teach you the art of working with wood. Like all arts it depends not only on the strength of each individual, but also on what is learned through both patience and listening to good advice.”

Joseph was amazed by everything that had happened and immediately addressed him as, "My lord.” because of the respect he suddenly felt towards the old man. “I am useless. I was born a prince of the House of David, but he and his descendants didn’t leave much money behind, just titles and the knowledge that one of his descendants would one day become the Messiah. They also left us not knowing how to do anything for ourselves and to spend all day being idle.” Joseph was surprised at the words coming out of his mouth because he had never thought like that before. He added, “If you want, I’ll come here every day and you can teach me, but you mustn’t say a word to anyone. If word got out about what I’m doing here, then I wouldn’t be able to come anymore.”

“If you want to learn and be my apprentice, and it seems that you do, you could take over the workshop. My wife and I only need a place to sleep. I would teach you everything you’d need to know to become a first-rate carpenter.” said the old man.

Everything the old man told the Joseph sounded good, but Joseph said,

“Let me think about it!”

“Tell you what,” said the old man, “I’ll be waiting for you here a week from now. If you don’t come back, I’ll assume that you’ve changed your mind and I’ll look for someone else who wants to learn."

“You won’t have to wait that long. I’ll give you an answer in two days’ time!” Joseph said.

As he was heading towards the door, he saw the old woman and on looking into her eyes, discovered a goodness and kindness so great that it filled his heart with joy. He thought to himself,

“I have seen those eyes before, but I can’t remember where!” and then he said goodbye.

Just before he left, the old man said to him, “Just so you don’t forget, I’ll give you something that can help remind you” and he gave him his staff, adding, “It’s made of a very special wood. I know this because I’ve worked with wood my whole life. This staff has the virtue of giving those who carry it strength when they falter, it catches them when they fall, and picks them up when they hit rock bottom. I’ve known it give security and protection, as well as helping to ward off evil. It will mete out justice to anyone who you come up against and whenever you’re alone and have it in your hands, it will reveal many more of its properties to you. You’ll come to have a special affection for it, just as I do. You can have it until you return. I cannot walk far and at the moment, I’m not much use to anyone. Tell you what, if you come back, I’ll give it to you as a gift and you’ll be able to discover for yourself that what I’ve said is true. With it, you’ll achieve far more than you would have done without it.” And with that, the old man said goodbye.