Chapter 13

CHAPTER 13 Dr. Gomez and Michael spent over a week searching museums, universities, and zoos for any sign of Merle and Pearl, with no luck. Dr. Gomez had made a list of locations to investigate, and Michael was in charge of checking them off once they had visited. He was growing tired of making check marks. "Old Town Nazareth," Michael sighed, glancing down at his clipboard as they pulled into a sunbaked parking lot lined by scraggly juniper trees. "A re-creation of Nazareth from back in the time of Christ." "According to their website, they've got animals," his dad said. "It's worth checking out." Unlike a museum or zoo, where you can wander around on your own, visitors experienced Old Town Nazareth on a guided tour. Michael and Dr. Gomez were placed in a group of eight people led by their friendly hostess, Hannah. After demonstrations of the types of tools used by carpenters like Jesus and his dad Joseph, of how meals were prepared and sheep's wool was woven into clothing inside a first-century home, Michael asked Hannah, "What types of animals did they have here in Nazareth?"

"Let me show you!" she answered cheerfully, leading the group outside to a livestock pen containing four sheep, two goats, and a donkey. "As you can see here— there were sheep." On cue, one of the four sheep let out a "Baaaaa." The group giggled. "There were goats," Hannah said, then paused, awaiting a response that did not come. "I said... there were goats." One of the sheep gave a swift kick to a goat, who suddenly recalled its cue and bleated, "Beeeee!" The group laughed again. "And, of course, donkeys." The donkey let out a giant, "HEE-HAW!" And the group laughed even louder and applauded.

"I think they've done this before," Dr. Gomez whispered to Michael with a smile. "Did they have squirrels?" Michael asked from the back of the group. "I suppose they did, but not for livestock. It's hard to milk a squirrel." The group found that particularly hilarious. "Come, let me show you the olive press," Hannah urged, the group now in the palm of her hand. As the tour continued on past the animal pen, Michael thought he heard a "Psst." Looking around he didn't see anyone, so he continued following Hannah.

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This time Michael turned around. The donkey was staring at him dead in the eye. Michael crept back toward the pen as the rest of the group rounded a corner out of sight. "You American?" the donkey whispered. "Duh," one of the sheep said. "Uh... yeah. You can... talk?!" Michael stammered. "If you tell anyone, I will deny it," the donkey answered. By this time, Dr. Gomez had doubled back for Michael and stepped up beside him. "Word on the street is to be on the lookout for two Americans searching for squirrels," the donkey whispered. "Do you know where they are?!" Michael asked, a little too loudly. "Shh! Keep it down!" the donkey shushed him. "All I know is that they were seen headed down the Nativity Trail a few days back with my Uncle Dusty. At least I think he's my uncle." "Where'd you get this info?" Dr. Gomez inquired. "Heard it from my brother Shem, who heard it from our other brother Japheth." "Is your name Ham?" Dr. Gomez asked. "Yes. How did you know?" The donkey looked around nervously. "Just a guess," Dr. Gomez replied. "What's the Nativity Trail?" Michael asked.

"I'll tell you on the way," his dad said. They thanked Ham for the information and sprinted for the parking lot.