“In different ways,” said Al, “they live a harsh world. What they want, what we all want, is for the world to hear our cry as a full human being. Even when we are hiding, it is a terrible thing to be invisible.”
Carla poked him in the ribs and said, “OK, Bible genius, Where was the first cry in the Bible and who heard it?”
“God heard the cry of the slaves in Egypt and sent Moses to lead them to freedom,” Al responded.
“Boing!” Carla made a sound like a quiz show. “Wrong answer, oh learned one.”
Al looked puzzled. “Then who was it?
“It was Abel. Cain had killed him and tried to make him invisible by burying him in the ground. His blood cried out from the ground and God heard it.” Carla did a little skip and punched her fist in the air.
“Hey, that’s a great connection,” said Al. “Even when the weak are treated as invisible, God still sees them and hears their cry – even as happened,” Al continued with a smile on his face, “for those human slaves in Egypt.”
“Oh, so we want an instant replay on the official ruling in the contest, do we? If we are going to get nit picky, I think a case could be made that God heard Sarai’s cry when Abram was willing to pimp her out to the Pharaoh.”
Al stopped, held up his hands in surrender. “I yield, I yield. You are the winner.”
Carla did a little twirl in the street announcing to anyone within range, “Did you hear that. The master of all biblical languages has acknowledged me the winner. Go spread the good news to the world.” She continued to giggle with delight as they walked.
Al, pleased, if a little embarrassed, at her playfulness, said, “No wonder those border guards are scared of you. When you win you don’t take any prisoners.”
SMcCutchan