4. A Bedouin Tent

God gives us friends!

Aunt Abby continued driving south. On both sides of the road were black and brown tents. Joe watched for the black car. Yes, it was following them. "Who lives in those tents, Aunt Abby?" Gina asked.
"They're called Bedouins. The word means 'nomad,' someone who wanders from place to place. They live wherever there is graze-land for their flocks and herds. Some of them move with the rainy season to find grass. Others are settled on land that has belonged to their tribe for hundreds of years.
"Do you think we might visit one of them?” asked Joe.
"That's just what I had in mind," Aunt Abby grinned.
Beyond Beersheba, where Abraham had lived, Aunt Abby followed a narrow track where a Bedouin was walking. His long black robe was edged in gold, and a bright red and white flowing headdress was held in place by a doubled black rope.
Aunt Abby stopped the van and asked, "Would you like to ride?"
As the man turned towards them, Gina saw a dagger fastened to his belt. She shivered and shrank back in her seat.
"The Bedouin nodded and climbed into the back seat beside Joe, who was charmed. Gina quietly edged close to the window on her side.
"We’ll take you where you are going," Aunt Abby offered.
"Follow those tracks." The Bedouin guided them along a road deep in dust. The van went slower and slower. Aunt Abby shifted into low gear. The wheels churned whirling dust that piled up so thick she had to turn on the windshield wipers! Dust swirled around inside and the family coughed and laughed and tried not to breathe it in. Their hair and eyelashes were covered with it.
Gina giggled. "Mom, you have gray hair!"
"So do you!" teased Joe, "and Dad does, too. We all have. We look like clowns!" He was laughing so hard he nearly fell off the seat.
Deep dust gave way to solid ground. The van bumped over ruts and swerved around rocks and bushes. The Bedouin pointed to a distant group of tents and asked Aunt Abby to stop near a large one.
"My home is your home," he said, graciously inviting them to come in.
An elderly bearded man wearing a sheepskin coat appeared and welcomed the guests with a smile. "This is my father,” the Bedouin said. He took off his shoes before he entered the tent so the guests followed his example. He brought foam mattresses covered with bright flowered cloth and placed them on the ground. His mother came in with big fat satin pillows for them to lean on. She wore a black dress embroidered with unique red, blue, and green designs. Tiny red and yellow flowers were threaded through her white veil. Tattoo marks decorated her forehead and chin. Her ears were loaded with heavy silver rings, and a huge round gold one was pierced through her nose. She wore amber beads and wide silver bracelets. Her hair was in two thick braids.
"These are my brothers and sisters," the Bedouin said, pointing to several children who appeared and shyly stole glances at the guests. He suggested that they show Joe and Gina the lambs they were responsible for guarding.
Dad nodded approval, and Joe and Gina happily jumped up to follow the boys. One of them said in English, "My name is Moses.”
"I'm Joe. My sister is Gina. Where did you learn to speak English?"
"We study it in school. Here are the animals."
"I see you have camels, sheep, goats, donkeys, chickens and a duck. And there are several dogs and the lambs." Joe petted one of the dogs and thought how odd it looked. What has happened to this poor thing? What is wrong with it? Has it had an accident? He looked carefully. "Oh, this dog's ears are missing!"
"We always cut their ears off when they are born. It makes them better watchdogs," explained Moses.
"They look more vicious, too," Joe added. "But I guess that's no worse than cutting off their tails like we do in America."
In the tent, the guests were served thick strong coffee prepared in a blackened brass pot over a small crackling fire in front of them. Their tiny china cups were filled three times, Bedouin custom.
When the children came back and sat down, a little newborn lamb climbed into Gina's lap. She sat very still and gently petted its soft curly wool and long floppy ears until it contentedly fell asleep. "I love this cuddly lamb. I wish we could take it home!"
"I'm sorry, dear. The little lamb needs its mother," Aunt Abby sympathized.
Gina knew she was right. She hated to put it down when they were ready to leave. The entire Arab family walked to the car with them and Aunt Abby thanked them for their gracious hospitality.
"We've made some kind, warmhearted new friends," Dad remarked as they drove away. “We've seen people living like Abraham lived long ago. That visit with the Bedouins was special!" And the family agreed.
"I'm going to write to Moses," Joe informed them. "He's the same age I am."
"Does he go to school?" asked Mom.
"Yes. He can read and write. And guess what kind of school bus he rides…a donkey!"
"What fun," Gina laughed, "I'd like that."
Joe looked back but the dust was swirling so high he couldn’t see any sign of the black car. He sighed happily as he thought of his new friend, Moses.