Jesses Star Read Online Free Page A

“Just to keep her safe,” he added. “In case of soldiers.”
    â€œBig, brave hero,” Jonah said sourly. “What could you do?”
    â€œI’ll protect her,” Daniel said firmly.
    â€œAnd a little time alone doesn’t hurt,either,” Golda observed, and everyone laughed.
    Giggling, Miriam and Daniel set off. The villagers waited. And waited.
    â€œWhere are those two?” Papa asked.
    â€œGathering more than willow branches, I dare say,” Golda said, arching her eyebrows.
    â€œThey’re taking an awfully long time,” Mama said. “What if —”
    But just then Miriam and Daniel came back, their arms full of branches. Behind the screen of leaves, their hands were entwined, and they gazed lovingly at each other.
    â€œMiriam! Daniel!” Golda scolded. “Stop with the doe eyes and get those branches over here.”
    Everyone turned. Miriam and Daniel dropped hands and turned tomato-red. Laughter rang out. “You’re not married yet, you two!” Mama said, wagging her finger.
    â€œSuch lovebirds,” Sadie sighed.
    Teasing the red-faced pair, the villagers began weaving the long willow branches in and out of the wooden grid, turning the two sides of the sukkah into green, leafy walls.
    Yossi pressed forward, willow branch in hand. “Here, let me.” He tried to squeeze his way to the front, but Jonah turned watery eyes on him. “Go away, little pest.” Several people snickered. “Don’t let him get near the sukkah — you know what happened to the beets,” Jonah added. There was more laughter. Yossi turned away, scowling.
    Once the branches had been woven into place, the villagers brought baskets of long-necked gourds, ears of corn, apples and pears, onions and herbs. All these they wove into the leaves, turning the walls into a garden paradise.
    Yossi grabbed an apple and tucked its stem between two entwined branches. The stem slipped out. Yossi shoved it in again, bruising the apple. The apple fell. Bendingto pick it up, he stomped on it.
    Golda had seen. “Yossi Mendelsohn, scram! You’ll ruin everything.”
    No one lets me help, Yossi thought. How can I show what I can do if they don’t give me a chance?
    He began to walk away. But then the Rebbe’s voice rang out, “Now for the roof. Bring the cornstalks. Let’s crown our beautiful sukkah!”
    Everyone gathered around as Simon stepped forward with an armful of cornstalks. The sukkah was almost done. All that remained was to lay a thicket of stalks across the top. Yossi loved this part. He loved to see the sukkah’s roof take shape, throwing dappled shadows on the ground, turning the sukkah into a shady bower. Although it was only made of leaves, the sukkah felt safe and holy — shelter in a world of trouble.
    Papa and Simon went to fetch a ladder.
    Then Yossi got an idea.
    With his stilts, he could lay the roof. Allby himself — no ladder needed. Then they’d see what a fine helper he could be!
    Yossi’s stilts were leaning against the side of the schul. He jumped onto them and walked back to the villagers.
    â€œWait!” he cried. “Let me. I can do it!” Yossi scooped the cornstalks out of Simon’s arms. Hands full of stalks, he hugged the stilts to his sides. He struggled for balance. A cornstalk fell. No matter. Yossi gripped the stilts against his sides, staggered a moment, then balanced perfectly.
    â€œHim? The klutz? Woe is us!” Jonah murmured. Several people chuckled, but others said, “No, look, he can do it,” and “Good for you, Yossi.”
    The praise rang in Yossi’s ears. Yes, he could do it. Left, right, left, right, down the center of the sukkah, between the walls. Now, all he had to do was separate one cornstalk from the rest, without letting go of the stilts … Elbows in! … Lay it across … there. He’d done it. How lovelythe