John and Jesus sat fidgeting waiting for the adults to wake up. It was mid-morning already, and they were hungry, and restless to explore their new home.
They could hear sounds coming from the other tent. Eran and Mary were having a discussion. Sometimes they raised their voices, but the boys could not make out what they were saying. John's empty stomach growled. He wondered what they could be talking about. Jesus sat quietly, staring at the ground, with an uncertain look on his face.
John poked Jesus' arm and pointed toward the far side of the campsite. "Let's go now!" he said. The two rose quickly and sprinted away.
"This way. We haven't been over there yet," John said, leading the way. Jesus quickened his pace to keep up.
They climbed a low rise, ascending through trees toward a clearing at the top. John stopped suddenly and turned toward Jesus bringing a finger to his lips. "Shhh" he whispered.
"Do you hear an animal?" Jesus asked.
"I heard voices," John whispered, turning his head first one way and then the other looking for the source. He leaned forward to look up into the clearing.
"What do you see?" Jesus asked.
"I see people. They're exercising. I think. That guy, Eran's brother. He's there, and I see Mirium too. They're in a circle. They're almost naked! Maybe they're dancing, or something."
"Let me look." Jesus peered from behind John to get a better view. He could hear Amun's voice calling out instructions to the people as they moved around in a circle.
"I want to do that!" Jesus said, grinning. "It looks like fun. Do you think they'll let us join?"
"It looks weird!" John snapped, crossing his arms and scowling. "It must be Egyptian! It looks ridiculous."
"I don't care. Mirium will show me." Jesus pushed John aside and continued up to the clearing toward the group. He was immediately spotted by Amun, who snapped his fingers and pointed to Mirium to intercept the boys.
Mirium stopped her flowing movements and walked to the boys. She whispered that they were doing Smai Tawi, an important part of their daily ritual. She led them to one side of the clearing and told them to watch and listen before joining.
"Listen to Amun's instructions and concentrate on your breath. When you feel ready you may join the circle. Try to keep up, but do not speak. Save your questions for later" she said before to rejoining the group.
John stripped to his loincloth and strutted around expanding his chest and arms. He was warming up, just as he had been taught to for races. He was proud of his athletic body and ability to compete. He wondered what Mirium thought of him. He wondered if she noticed. He could not avoid looking at her semi-clad body as she moved about. The moral women of Nazareth would never leave home so undressed, he thought, still continuing to track her movements, unable to look away.
Jesus started to remove his tunic but then paused, feeling unsure. Mother always warned him to be careful where and how he let people see his unclothed body. He decided to stay dressed and just watch for a while, observing the rhythm and movements.
"We face the Sun and bring our hands together in prayer," Amun intoned, his narration deliberate and melodic. "Next we inhale deeply, to receive the fiery breath of life, and then, when that breath peaks, exhale slowly. We breathe this way, again and again, so that our small breaths come as one continuous flow," he said. Amun stretched out his arms and continued to direct the group. "Like the hawk we descend, and with outstretched arms humbly bow forward, to greet the day." Amun continued his poetic instructions, as the boys watched and listened. Eventually they joined the circle, moving tentatively, but quickly learning the simple movements.
John was skeptical of the ritual at first, but he enjoyed stretching, and the balancing poses. He could lose himself in the precise movements, and tune out the strange descriptions of gods and animals that Amun went and on about.
Jesus enjoyed the unfamiliar exercises. It reminded him of dancing, which he had only watched others do at festivals. He especially liked the movements with animal names. He had trouble stretching, but he enjoyed the breathing, which made him feel both relaxed and wide awake at the same time.
Just when the two were getting the hang of a movement, Amun would end that posture, and introduce a new one. Most of the participants moved easily from one pose to the next -- familiar with their order and flow. In consideration of the boys, Amun took care to explain each step as he demonstrated.
The exercises continued for some time, and ended with everyone lying on the ground with their eyes closed, in a posture that Amun called The Corpse.
After a while, Amun rang a small bell and spoke to the group, "Smai Tawi period has ended. Let us rise now, renewed and ready to address the day. God is in you!" he said with his palms pressed together in prayer.
People stirred slowly from the sleep like posture, and began to gather their cast off clothing and mats.
Amun spoke again. "The day's food will be prepared now. Mirium, take Jesus with you to collect herbs from the garden. John, come with me to the main building. You can help in the kitchen."
The gathering dispersed in silence. Amun headed off, followed by John and several of the others. As they passed, John looked at Jesus and Miri and whispered, "The men are leaving now." He smirked as he passed, as if he was now part of a special group that excluded Jesus.
Miri smiled and restrained a chuckle. She knew that John's chore -- probably building a fire -- would be much harder work than gathering herbs. She motioned for Jesus to follow her, as she headed into the trees leading to the garden.
Jesus looked forward to telling his mother and Eran about his unexpected morning adventure. He hoped they were finished with whatever it was they were talking about. He wanted them to be happy, so he could be happy too.
(End of Chapter 27)