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
final
blessings
[Genesis 48:1]
Some time later Joseph heard that Jacob’s end was nigh,
And getting up from where he sat, he heaved a heavy sigh.
Together with his two small sons, he went to Jacob’s side
And listened very carefully, his ears opened wide.
Jacob looked at Jo and said, “Your sons are also mine,
Egypt may provide their home, but not their family line.”
Then he noticed two small shapes close to Joseph’s side,
“Who are they?” he quietly asked. “Your grandsons,” Jo replied.
“Bring them close,” said Jacob, who’d almost lost his sight,
“Let me hug and kiss them, and bless them both tonight.
These last few years,” he added, “I’ve been quite sad, it’s true,
“But now you’re here with me again, and your children too.”
Joseph brought his children close, within his father’s sight,
Manasseh in his left hand, Ephraim in his right.
Jacob’s right hand should have gone upon Manasseh’s head,
But reaching out he let it rest on Ephraim’s instead.
Joseph didn’t understand and tried to sort things out,
But Jacob just ignored his son, he’d not the slightest doubt.
“Manasseh will do alright,” he said in contemplation,
“But Ephraim will generate a huge and mighty nation.”
Then he blessed the three of them, and taking Joseph’s hand,
He said that God would guide them towards the promised land.
He added that of all his sons, Joseph was the best,
And he was leaving more to him than any of the rest.
Then he called for all his sons, time was hotly pressing,
And in a quiet determined voice, he gave his final blessing.
He complimented Reuben’s strength, but said he was unstable,
He’d never make it to the top, he simply wasn’t able.
Both Levi and Simeon had blood upon their hands,
Their children would be scattered in distant foreign lands.
He said that Judah had the strength and courage of a lion,
He’d rule his people bravely, his fist would be of iron.
Zebulun would build a port, a haven by the sea,
Ships would find protection within his sheltered quay.
Issachar was like a donkey, resting by the road,
The goodness that he saw around would help to ease his load.
Dan, he said, would be a judge, a serpent, slim and small,
He’d bite at passing horses’ heels and make their riders fall.
The enemy would ambush Gad and drive him from his land,
But later he would strike them back and get the upper hand.
Asher’s land would be so rich, from summer through to spring,
The products of his ovens would be fit for any king.
Naphtali was like a hind, running in the wood,
The words he spoke were gentle, honest, kind and good.
Joseph was a fruitful branch, who’d suffered far too long,
He was blessed above the rest, the Lord would make him strong.
Ben, he said, was like a wolf, hunting day and night,
Killing and devouring whatever came in sight.
In this way he took all twelve, in order of their birth,
And blessed each tribe of Israel, according to his worth.
He then implored them all again, once his fate was sealed,
To bury him inside the cave that lay in Ephron’s field.
When he’d said these final words, he lay back down and sighed,
And satisfied he’d done his best, he closed his eyes and died.
Joseph mourned his father for seventy days or so,
Then he called on Pharaoh and asked if he could go.
Important people gathered round to pay their last respects,
While Joseph started packing up his personal effects.
Then off they went to Ephron’s field to help prepare the grave,
And bury Jacob next to Abe in old Machpelah’s cave.
With Jacob gone and Jo in charge, the brothers felt afraid,
They asked if he’d forgive them all the errors they had made.
“God will judge you,” Jo declared, “and has, in any case,
Already turned your bad to good to save his chosen race.
The Lord will take good care of you and all your children too,
Should any problems come your way, God will see you through.”
Joseph reached a ripe old age but still he moved with ease,
And bounced his children’s children and their children on his knees.
Before he died he told his brothers God would take their hand,
And lead them out of Egypt towards the promised land.
His brothers vowed to take his body with them when they went,
And Joseph died, quite satisfied, his life had been well spent.
And so the story has been told, from Adam through to Jo,
Of how a new world was begun, a long long time ago.
The story isn’t finished, though, you needn’t look so glum,
This is just a starting point, there’s plenty more to come.
So draw the curtains tightly now and let’s switch off the light,
We’ve had enough adventures, it’s time to say good night.
