Letter 1
Nazareth may be just another small town, but I don’t think it’s quite the quiet little village that my editor had in mind. . . No-one is safe with Herod, not even his own mother-in-law. . . . and as for Caesar . . .
TO: MNR, Jerusalem
Attn: Petrus Andronicus
FROM: Benjamin J Levi
Subject: Focus Feature – Rural Village
All well with trip. Village suitable for feature. Usual general dissatisfaction re: Caesar/Herod. Foresee straightforward interviews. First draft with next DE.
On assignment,
Benjamin J Levi
Dear Mother
We arrived in Nazareth yesterday and the camel train is heading back tomorrow without too much cargo. They will move more quickly on the return trip so you should have these letters within three weeks.
The weather was mild throughout the trip, with a few welcome rain showers. There were twenty seven camels in the caravan, and they can kick up a lot of sand. We took it easy, but it was 12 days to get here. Ishmael, the caravan leader, doesn’t believe in hurrying things. And even if he did there’s a limit to how much you can hurry a camel along.
The red striped robe was a definite bonus in the damp evenings.
I am lodged in a local inn. Nazareth isn’t a big town, but it has all the comforts I can expect. Don’t worry – if you could see the innkeeper’s wife, you would know that I will be eating very well.
I haven’t had much time yet to look around, so right now I can only give you my first impressions. Petrus Andronicus pretty much picked Nazareth by tossing his quill onto the latest tax collector’s list, but I guess it worked, as it looks to fit the profile he wanted of an average, quiet, small rural town.
We had camped outside for the last evening, and early the next day we came right into the bustle of the morning market. Busy and clamorous with goods and animals in fine abandon. Oil by the ephah, stalls with fruit and vegetables – you would love the variety you see here. I took a walk around, and tried some of the local specialities. When I discover what I was eating, I will send you a recipe, or even some samples.
There’s the same sort of people we would see when we visited Great Aunt Beulah. Old women picking over each fig, mothers trying to get everything done, and young girls giggling together. I’m sure they’re discussing the young men in the area. Just like Sara.
I’m including a note for Sara in this letter, and one she can take across to Joel for me.
I will write a longer letter soon. Please give my greetings to Father.
All my love
Your son
Benjamin
Dear Sara
Here’s a note for you to take across to Joel. He can give you all the news that’s in there. This is just an excuse for you so you can go and visit him.
Big hug from Big Brother Benjamin.
Hi Joel
I’m sure you won’t read this until Sara has left, so now sit down, grab some of that great bread your mother makes, and take time to hear how I ‘m feeling, way out here in the wilds of Galilee.
And how camels feel too. In a word, uncomfortable. No, make that two words. Extremely uncomfortable. Plus which they look warily on red stripes. Ever been looked at warily by a camel?
Nazareth may be just another small town, but I don’t think it’s quite the quiet little village that my editor had in mind. Travelling with a large train as I did is a good opportunity to get a feel of what’s bubbling under the surface. There were a number of folks from this area in the groups, and the evening talk round the fires was not always restrained.
My brief is to produce an insert that will, quote, ‘Show how tradition and family are contributing to the stability in the Roman Empire.’
Take that camel-looking-at-red-stripes expression off your face, friend.
I am to establish the environment, interview some local people across the age groups, generally paint a nice scenic picture of Galilee Pacificus, and be ready to feed it all back to Petrus Andronicus by the end of this week. A regular feature, the producer said, a nice filler to keep Herod happy. As if Herod pays attention to anything but his sycophants.
Is my boss trying to safeguard his job, or perhaps his neck? More fool he. No-one’s neck is safe with Herod, not even his own mother-in-law.
Speaking of mothers-in-law, do you want me to put in a good word for you and Sara, or shall I wait until you approach my father officially? Just asking!
So what’s wanted is a picture of a land that is happy, with people who are grateful to their Roman overlords and of course to Herod. Typical political approach. Tell them what to think, tell them everybody else thinks that way, and hope they go along with it.
But people are not ‘grateful’. They resent everything Herod does, and as for Caesar – well, he is Rome, what else must I say.
I’d better get some sleep. A concentrated bunch of interviews, and I’ll be out of here with the next caravan.
Stay well, be good.
Ben
TO: Mediterranean Reality News network, Jerusalem
Attn: Petrus Andronicus
FROM: Benjamin J Levi
Subject: Focus Feature – Rural Village
All well with trip. Village suitable for feature. Usual general dissatisfaction re: Caesar/Herod. Foresee straightforward interviews. First draft with next Donkey Express.
On assignment,
Benjamin J Levi
Letter 2 / Letter 3 / Letter 4 / Letter 5
This particular work is © copyright, with all rights reserved. Check the site, as some work is free to use. If you would like to use this piece, or any of our writings or images, contact us. We are friendly.