INTRODUZIONE
“A New World” è il primo libro di Mosè, più noto come la Genesi, raccontato in modo unico. Versi scorrevoli in rima baciata ed un incalzante ritmo trasportano il lettore dalle delizie verdeggianti del Giardino dell’Eden, oltre Noè e l’alluvione e le avventure di Abramo e Isacco, fino all’arrivo di Giuseppe in Egitto e la sua ascesa al potere come braccio destro del Faraone. Uno stile scanzonato ma mai irriverente, porta in vita i personaggi di questa storia biblica e fa di ‘A New World’ una lettura molto piacevole sia per bambini che per adulti.
Per trarre il massimo beneficio dalla traccia audio, si consiglia di fare l’ascolto almeno una volta prima di passare alla lettura del testo.
Jacob’s
trick
[Genesis 25:21]
Isaac and his wife, Rebekah, soon set up their home,
The only thing they really lacked were children of their own.
And so they asked the Lord to help and after several maybes,
They ended up with not just one, but two delightful babies.
Esau was delivered first, the eldest, strongest twin,
But little Jacob grabbed his heel and quickly followed him.
Esau grew up fit and strong, his skin was red and hairy,
A cunning hunter he became, very quick and wary.
Jacob was a gentle type, his skin was smooth to touch,
He preferred the quiet life and didn’t go out much.
Isaac favoured Esau, although his ways were rude,
For he provided Isaac’s plate with really scrumptious food.
Rebekah favoured Jacob, for he was meek and mild,
And mothers often pamper their youngest, smallest child.
Neither of them realised until it was too late,
That preferences cause disagreement, jealousy and hate.
His brother Esau had been born before him, it was true,
But Jacob felt that he deserved his dad’s attention too.
As Esau prowled the fields one day, hunting for some prey,
He felt a little dizziness towards the end of day.
Stumbling in on Jacob, he asked for soup and bread,
And said that if he didn’t eat, he’d very soon be dead.
Quick as lightning Jacob struck, he knew the iron was hot,
And asked for Esau’s birthright, at once and on the spot.
Jacob’s firm insistence filled Esau’s heart with gloom,
But doubtless it was preferable to lying in a tomb.
So Esau gave a little croak and swaying on his feet,
Accepted Jacob’s heavy terms and settled down to eat.
Familiar with his brother’s need to trick him and connive,
Esau simply thanked the Lord that he was still alive.
