It is the sabbath. In order that you may be more godly, fearing God and not men, take a lesson.
Grimly, Yotim, the judge arrives in the town of Beth-vool with the first reports. Coming to try the suit of the family of Bufra (those who are merchants in cotton cloth) against the King's armoren. Floray (who has not paid full value for fabrics for royal standards), the judge, passes the tamarisk trees at the sping of Coz.
Upon the lowest branches I have found five ribbons! It is an omen of evil. There are five black ribbons! It's a challange, I think by rogues against the King's orders.
The Lady Bufra, the old woman, rich and highly esteemed on account of her position and finery enters the town of Beth-vool. She comes upon an elegant litter drawn on a goat cart to present her claim against the King's rascal armorer. At the spring of Coz, where the tamarisk are lush and green, there are five black ribbons tied upon the branches. Each is freshly dyed. Certainly it is an ill omen. It means land will die and vegetation will wither. The forces are enraged against us on account of the misdeeds of our King.
The dozen elder men, gathering to Beth-vool to counsel at the trial make their alarmed report.
There is a black ribbon for each of five mighty knights, great warriors. They are pennants. They announce that the town and county are under surveillance. All is spied upon. Justice must be done.
Florey, impressive riding upon a horse the color of smoldering charcoal, arrives with his armed company. They water their war mounts at the spring of Coz. These are black marks, the signs of foreign spies left as a message. A foreign power will surely rush into the land. A subversive force leaves a signet. Fortunate are your people that the King's army is here to protect you.
The old man, Yo, and his feeble wife hobble into the town market place. They barter leeks and lettuce for salt and flour. She is blind and he is deaf. They care nothing for suits at law and they care more for their duty to care for one another than for complex questions and the values of objects. Ribbons, stout and durable, fluttering blackly among the branches of the tamarisk at the spring of Coz. Each is a master of something owed. Five claims, five debts."
In the market place no trial is held. Rather the people wonder about the black ribbons. Arising, Yotim, the judge, who is famous for his wisdom and justice in every corner of the nation, quiets the mob. We cannot hear a suit here. Bring the priest. We'll go to the spring of Coz and divine what dark forces menace us.
The people report the sad tidings that they are, for these sixteen years, without priest or rabbi. They have no need to pay gifts to a priest. They are a community of practical merchants. Like the merchants, Yotim has little use for priests, but sometimes they prove useful to expose God's working in things.
So, as a body, the mob, and the judge, the elder men and Lady Bufra, grand on her costly litter, all led by Floray, the King's armorer, on his snorting steed. There is no reason to fear. At Coz we will simply slash down the black signals. You people are indeed fortunate to have the King's army here to protect you. This is the very reason why the royal armorer should not have to pay full price for his cloth.
And how do we know you are not the very one who tied up the black ribbons to cause alarm?" The Lady Bufra sneers from her couch.
Unable to hear any of this, the deaf old man, Yo, guides his old wife to the shade at the edge of the market. There will be no sale of their lettuce and leeks this morning. The whole community except for them is off for the six miles to Coz. Holding her around stooped shoulders, he explains in his ancient hoarse voice that they are alone but should wait until the cool of evening to return home. Perhaps the market will return and they may yet barter for salt and flour.
Hearing a stirring behind them, the blind woman gestures to Yo. It's just a boy, he reassures her. Just a shepherd boy.
The old wife nods, being able to distinguish the sounds in the dim shadows. She can hear five lambs prancing along and the patter of a small boy's bare feet.
Ah, Yo explains to his beloved, that's what those ribbons were for. He's got them tied around the sheep's necks.
Smiling, the small shepherd explains to the old man, unaware that he can hear none of it. This is the beginng of my own flock he says. Five for me and five for my brother. My father is a generous man. I want my lambs to know how much I like them. Each has a name and a cord to decorate her. Ezra the priest gave the ribbons to me. He tore them from the hem of his cloak and said they are very powerful. They needed to be washed at the spring of Coz.
Grinning, the old woman pats the lad upon his head. Go with God, shepherd. Have a leek for your journey.
So, my son, this is not a satisfying lesson. I will explain it for you. Better it is to show your lamb that you care for her, and your husband that he is dear to you, than to read dark omens animated only by our fears. Every person is fearful and uncertain about some things. Fear only God. Better it is to barter lettuce than to call for judgement.
And this, Beloved, make a small place even for the priest that he may show you the God in things.
