There wasn’t one grumble the following morning as Eliezer and the servants loaded the Camels. No-one said his load was too heavy, no-one refused to get up.
‘Have a good journey’ the servants called when Eliezer declared them ready to go.
‘I’m sure we shall’ he answered, and it was then that the little Mouse seized her opportunity. Running quickly over to Joash she climbed nimbly up his load, and snuggled down on to the cushion on which the wooden frame rested. But Joash had seen her, and, with a loud bellow, he told her to get off immediately!
‘Oh, do be quiet’ she said. ‘You’ll need me to find things out for you.’
‘What is the matter Joash?’ asked Eliezer as he hurried over. ‘You aren’t carrying too much.’
‘The Mouse is right, Joash’ whispered Tamar who was kneeling next to him,so Joash got up on his front legs, then on to his hind legs without saying another word.
Satisfied that his Camels were loaded, comfortable, and now ready, Eliezer waved “Good-bye” and turned the Camels towards the far away grasslands of Padam-Aram.
And the Camels were proved right! It was Many weeks later that they arrived at the town of Abraham’s brother, Nahor. It was evening, and everyone was tired and thirsty so Eliezer halted at the well just outside the town. The Camels knelt down wearily, and Eliezer walked a little way from them to pray.
Eliezer knew he couldn’t find a wife for Isaac by himself, he needed the Lord’s help, so he prayed, not even noticing the little Mouse who sat quietly at his feet. She was able, then, to tell the Camels everything when she returned to them a little while later.
‘It is time for the young women of the town to come and draw water’ she explained. ‘It’s a little cooler now so they shall all be arriving at the well very soon, and Eliezer has asked the Lord to help him choose the right girl.’
The Camels were interested.
‘How is he going to know?’ Nebo asked.
‘Eliezer is going to ask a girl for a drink of water, and if she says ‘Certainly, and I’ll draw water for your Camels too’ then SHE will be the one for Isaac.’
‘Well done, little Mouse’ said Tamar. ‘I’m glad you came with us.’
At that moment a beautiful young girl came to the well and drew a jar of water. Eliezer asked her for a drink, and she happily said ‘Drink, my lord.’
Then, to all their delight, she offered to draw water for the Camels too!
That decided it for the Camels. In their opinion she was Definitely the girl for Isaac!
Eliezer sat quietly watching until all his Camels were satisfied, then, taking some gold jewellery out of one of the bags he gave it to the girl and asked whose daughter she was. He also asked if there was room for them to spend the night at her home.
‘I’m Rebekah, the grand-daughter of Nahor’ she told Eliezer. ‘And you are very welcome to spend the night with us. We have plenty of room for you, and the Camels. They will be well looked after.’
The little Mouse squealed with joy, and jumped up and down on Joash’s back. ‘Our Heavenly Father has answered Eliezer’s prayer’ she shouted.
‘Yes, isn’t it wonderful?’ agreed Tamar.
‘It may be wonderful, but I’m still not having you jumping up and down on my back’ snarled Joash, and he turned his head as if to bite her.
The little Mouse giggled, she was well out of reach of his snapping teeth.
‘Look!’ she cried. ‘Eliezer is thanking God for answering his prayer.’ And they all watched as Eliezer worshipped the Lord.
‘It’s good to remember to say “Thank-you” to God’ the Mouse said. ‘And also to thank other people who help you’ she added speaking right into Joash’s ear. Joash swung his head round quickly, and Whoosh! off flew the little Mouse.
‘Ha!’ said Joash, thinking he had got rid of her. But he hadn’t! With a little shake, a twitch of her tail and whiskers, she stood up and quickly climbed back on to Joash’s back. He groaned, but before he could say anything Nebo asked ‘Who is this man hurrying towards us?’
‘I’ll find out’ said the little Mouse, and down she slid, right down Joash’s nose! He opened his mouth, but with a little giggle, the Mouse jumped down and hurried across to Eliezer.
Back again she came. ‘It’s Laban’ she said breathlessly. ‘Rebekah’s brother, and we are all invited to his house.’
Glad to be getting rid of their loads at last, the Camels quickly rose to their feet and, before long, they were resting in the shade with enough food, water, and bedding to keep them reasonably pleasant!
Elizabeth Aynsley ©