Chapter 3 - Bonding Plans

Sweat lined his forehead as he went on with his daily tasks, taking care of his responsibility as a tribe member as early as his age possibly allowed.

Joseph looked at his father having a busy time discussing some matters with some of his elder brothers. Smiling at the harmonious sight, he remembers to thank God again tonight for small blessings. Looking away with a grin, he went on herding the sheep to graze in the wilds.

Sheepherding may sound boring and dull, some tend to think it's quite the easiest task to do. However, as time goes by many will come to realize how this simple task will build a courageous personality and discipline one's self a great deal.

For sheepherders, keeping an eye on the sheep teaches responsibility over the subjects dependents on them. Not only that, overtime they will be held accountable for all which is entrusted to them, and thus will defend it and cater to the needs of them. It raises youth to be aware of dangers lurking around, so they can send them to the stockyard safely by the end of the day.

And in case a wolf comes salivating for the sheep, sticks and stones and cleverness are one's weapons till help comes.

In a nutshell, it drills integrity, honesty and teaches leadership and responsibility. Young Joseph is a sponge who, unknowingly, absorbs those lessons while doing this miscellaneous task.

Unlike what his brothers think, he doesn't feel that his father's attention is solely on him. He actually looks up to his brothers, and wishes he can become as astounding as them. He sees his father always giving them all kinds of advice here and there, always fearing something bad will happen to them or they'd be the subject of some person's envy. They are capable and strong, and they know about a myriad of stuff as they go trading with caravans many times a year!

He wants to travel and see the world too when he grows up, too!

Sweets are the minds of children, they aren't aware of what fate hides for them but always see the purity in everything.

Inside the tent, several heads are gathering around the old Jacob, sitting on the red and black woven rugs. A pot of fresh, warm milk was situated in the middle. Beside it were a few bowls of soup and a big platter of grain with several well-roasted pieces of goat meat. You can still smell the fragrant scent of the meat roasted on the wooden fire stand a little to the north of the tent.

Right after the family finished discussing the trade business with their father, someone poked and the other collected his courage and bit the chance as it came. "Father, actually we wanted to discuss another matter with you. We would like to have your permission for this one."

Putting down the pot of milk, Jacob calmly gestures for him to proceed. "What is it you want my permit to? Worry not. Speak clearly and if I can then I will."

With a restless gaze, someone started timidly as his hand secretly and, quite nervously, fiddled with his brown headband. "Father, it has been a long time since we went on a trip, hunting and having fun, us brothers, alone in the wild for a couple of days. Why don't you entrust Joseph to us this time and allow him to come too?"

"Right. it has been a long time, indeed, since he last went out to play."

"If you are worried about him then that's something that we can arrange. We will take care of him, he's our little brother after all. We won't allow harm will come to him." Shrugged another one with his dark eyes hiding his putrid cunningness.

Another carried on, hitting the iron while it's hot, "Yes, it's a great idea! He can race with us and play around with us looking after him. We can teach him a thing or two about our surroundings, too."

For a few moments Jacob sat there thinking about it, but he still hesitated. He knows he can't keep Joseph at a hand's reach all the time but he simply worries too much. They are only suggesting an idea and his brain is already working the 'What-if's!!

Mulling over it for quite a while, he voiced his main concerns. "It really saddens me to have him away from me. Not only that, what if an accident happened and none of you was there to prevent it? There are many dangers lurking around outside our dwellings, what if wolves attacked you and ate little Joseph in a moment of inattentiveness?" The old man's concerns were really in the right direction.

The desert is not only sand dunes and scorching sun. It harbors many creatures that are capable to survive this harsh environment. Jakels, snakes, scorpions and wolves are a few beasts that hunts in the wilds. His worries are not misplaced at all!

bingo! thought many as they were sure their father showed his weakness and bit the bait. "Father! What wolf can eat him when we are this strong a league? Look at us, we are capable of beating such a wolf dead. If such a thing happened we are incapable losers!"

Thinking seriously about it, Jacob does not have the heart to confine Joseph or prohibit him from going out and enjoying himself in the wilderness for a few days. But he still doesn't feel comfortable letting Joseph go away even for one single day. What will he do if any thing happened to him?!

The idea truly frightens him to the point he really regrets agreeing to it. On the other hand, it'd be only fair to let Joseph have some fun and enjoy himself while bonding with his older brothers. Joseph is growing into a fine youth, so it might really be a great idea to let him have this experience.

Sighing in resignation, "Fine, you have my permission. However, you have to promise me to take good care of yourselves and always watch over your little brother. He's still young and in need of your protection out there." After getting their assurance and confirmations, he offers them important pieces of advice and several instructions before dismissing them for a prayer.

Elated, the brothers didn't expect their plot to go smoothly. Neither of them was sure their father will accept the proposal they thought of over night!

Now, all that awaits is for the trip to commence and the plan will be a success. Exchanging sinister, understanding gazes, they agreed to ready themselves for the upcoming trip.

The planned trip will take two days on the way and back, plus two more for their own device. The destination will be the province where the dried well is located.

As for Joseph, he was feeling giddy for the long-awaited trip and was in the middle of getting himself ready for their departure in only a couple of days.

With a smile, he went to bed. Although not knowing how this trip will be, he still hopes it goes well.