The Twins - continued...

His mother came out of the tent. She put her arms around her favourite son. "What is wrong, my son?" Yakov turned and buried his face in his mother's skirt.

"Esav is calling me names again," came his muffled voice.

Rivkah rocked him gently back and forth.

"Don't cry, little one. He is not a good boy. Come, Imah will find some dried figs for you." She led him inside.

But Yakov wasn't crying. His eyes were glinting with glee. Esav would get his ears boxed when he came home. Yakov knew that his Imah favoured him above his brother, and that pleased him very much.

Esav did not return till it was growing dark. Rivkah met him coming in and delivered the clout to his ears that Yakov had known he would get.

"Why do you tease your brother? You are a no-good son to me! Go and clean your hands and come to eat. Your father is waiting."

The box on his ears did not really hurt Esav, but it angered him. He put down the bag he was carrying.

"What is that?" asked Rivkah crossly.

"Rabbits. I killed them today. For my Abba," he added pointedly. He glared at Yakov, who was sitting smugly on his mat at the table, then went through to the inner tent to clean his hands. Clean his hands indeed! What a waste of time! She needn't think she could make a girl out of him like she had out of that Yakov. Little sneak, always telling tales on him. He’d get him back!

By the time Esav returned to the table, his father had come in and they were all sitting waiting for him.

Yitzchak smiled warmly at him.

"Have you had a good day, my son?" he asked.

Esav smiled back, the anger fading. He adored his father.

"Yes, Abba. And I killed two rabbits for you."

Yitzchak’s face lit up with pleasure.

"Thank you, my son." His old heart was warmed by Esav’s love.

Rivkah spoke up. She was careful not to let her husband know how irritated she felt, but there was an edge in her voice.

"Come, let us have the blessing before the food spoils."

© Emmie Goodenough, 1999