human
Well, Beka, daughter of Manasseh, whither are you taking your ivory white feet?
gpt
My feet are as brown as yours, replied Beka.
human
Stop mocking at me, Simon.
gpt
How can I be mocking at you? You're a fisherman's child, like me. But your basket is too heavy for you.
human
I am taking my father his dinner.
gpt
Manasseh has had a good catch. Look, smoke is rising yonder behind the palms of Hium. He is cooking the fish. But I have eaten nothing since yesterday at the sixth hour.
human
I can well believe that, Simon. The fish of the Lake of Gennesaret do not swim ready-cooked into the mouth. He who lies like a child in the cradle, and lets the gods provide----!
gpt
Beka, he said,
human
Then hold to the one God who feeds the birds.
gpt
And who delivers the Jews to the Romans. No; Jehovah won't help me either. So I'm forsaken and stand alone, a tottering reed.
human
How can I help it if you stand alone? asked the daughter of Manasseh.
gpt
Are there not daughters in Galilee who also stand alone?
human
Beka, I am glad that you speak so, replied the fisherman.
gpt
Why, how can Simon come to an understanding with anybody so long as he can't come to an understanding with himself? And fishing delights me not. Everything is a burden. Often when I lie here and look up into the blue sky, I think: If only a storm would come and drive me out on the open sea--into the wild, dark terror, then, Simon, you would lie there and extend your arms and say: Gods or God, do with me what you will.
human
Don't talk like that, Simon. You must not jest with the Lord. There, take it.
gpt
Beka, a year hence there'll be some one who will find in you that sweet experience which I vainly seek in the Prophets.