Volume 2

Simeon of Samaria
133
the bridegroom Nathanael. Those called were Peter,
Andrew, James the Less, and Nathanael Chased.
Although it was already dark, Jesus walked with the four
and the two other disciples back to Sichor, but the seven
that had not been called returned to Galilee. It was an exceedingly
delightful night-the sky was clear and a
delicious fragrance embalmed the air. They walked sometimes
all together, sometimes before or after Jesus, who
then went on alone. Once they rested in the midst of a
very fertile region under trees laden with fruit, and in the
neighborhood of green meadows and running brooks. As
they started again, there rose up from the meadow a flock
of birds and accompanied them on their way. They were
almost as large as hens, had red beaks and long pointed
wings like those with which angels are painted, and as
they flew, they kept up the funniest twittering. The birds
followed them even into the city, and there lighted among
the reeds in the water. They could run on the water like
waterfowl. It was a touching sight-the beautiful night,
Jesus pausing from time to time to pray or to teach, and
the birds settling around the little party of travellers. Thus
did they climb the mountain and descend on the other
side. Simeon came forward to meet them, washed the feet
of all, presented them a cup to drink and a morsel to eat
in the vestibule, and then conducted them into his house.
The birds, or waterfowl, belonged to Simeon; they flew
around like pigeons. Jesus taught here during the whole
day, and in the evening they celebrated the Sabbath in
Simeon's house, which was very high. Besides Jesus and
the disciples, there were present about twenty Jews. The
synagogue was in a subterranean vault, and arranged in
perfect order. A flight of steps led down to it. A leader
sang and read in the synagogue, after which Jesus
delivered a discourse. The disciples slept in the sanle
house with Jesus.
Their sleep was only a few hours long, for the gray