They threw him into a pit

They threw into a pit

They threw him into a pit;

He was large– so he didn’t quite fit;

He probably thought: “This is it.

I’ll be dead soon.”

His brothers were nasty and mean;

There were ten of them: lanky and lean;

They sat down for soup: lamb and bean;

Just after noon.

Old Reuben had something to do,

Leaving Judah in charge of the crew;

“Let’s kill him – he’ll go with the stew.”

“Nah! Too greasy!”

“Let’s sell him. He’s worth a few bob;

He’d make a good slave – the fat slob."

Some merchants came by – just the job;

All too easy!

So, they sold him for silver. They did.

Twenty pieces changed hands for the kid.

“Who’ll buy …?” There was only one bid:

Wandering Arabs.

They made him walk after their camels;

Such extraordinary mammals;

They were traders in spices, enamels

And silver scarabs.

Eventually made it to Egypt;

Joseph thought he’d end up in a crypt;

While his new master had him stripped

And branded.

But he didn’t lose heart – he worked hard;

His faith, undiminished, in God

Kept him going, though scarred,

Stretched and stranded.