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.
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The
stolen
idols
[Genesis 30:25]
Jacob spoke to Laban, when seven years had passed,
He said it was the moment to head back home at last.
But Laban tried to make a deal, he wanted him to stay,
He knew his fortune wouldn’t last if Jacob went away.
Jacob was the chosen one, he’d seen that it was true,
With Jacob standing by his side, his life was better too.
He said he needed Jacob’s help, since he was old and tired,
And in return he offered him whatever he desired.
Jacob said that he would stay, if Laban let him keep
All the black and speckled lambs he found amongst the sheep.
Laban went along with him, it seemed a fair request,
So Jacob had the speckled ones and he had all the rest.
But Jacob soon revenged himself, his deal had been misleading,
He used a special strategy of careful interbreeding.
When the weaker sheep gave birth, all their babes were plain,
The stronger sheep had speckled babes, time and time again.
So Jacob’s flocks grew big and strong, and Laban’s weak and small,
And Jacob had old Laban’s back up against the wall.
Then one night an angel appeared in Jacob’s dream,
And told him that the Lord himself had helped his little scheme.
He said that it was time for him to head back home again,
And keep the solemn promises he’d made to God back then.
So Jacob gathered up his goods, his family and his wives,
Explaining that the time had come to run and save their lives.
When Laban heard of Jacob’s flight, three whole days had past,
But he was sure he’d catch them, his men were fit and fast.
They travelled hard for many days and barely stopped at night,
Till Jacob and his family at last came into sight.
Just then Laban had a dream, in which God clearly said
That it would not be wise to touch a hair of Jacob’s head.
So when beside Mount Gilead the two men met to speak,
Laban tried to keep his cool and not to shout or shriek.
What made him really angry, apart from Jacob’s flight,
Was that his favourite idols had disappeared that night.
“Search my tents,” said Jacob, in open disbelief,
“And if you find your idols, we’ll execute the thief.”
Jacob didn’t know that it was Rachel, his own wife,
Who’d stolen Laban’s idols, and put at risk her life.
Fortunately, Rachel was cunning and alert,
She sat and hid the idols beneath her flowing skirt.
Jacob shouted angrily, “We’re not the kind to steal!”
Then he and Laban put aside their woes and made a deal.
