The Bobbery

By Gerald Sumeracki

The road he traveled was known for its dangers 
Robbers and cutthroats and worse did abound
He carried the funds of his last business venture
In a place, that he thought, would never be found.

As the sun settled down and the cool breezes blew
Three strangers approached him with smiles
"You better give us what we ask," they did say
"From towns and your friends you are miles."

He told them he had very little to give
He said he was poor and in need
Then one of the strangers did tell him a tale
Of a man who had nothing but greed.

It seems that this stranger was at the same place 
When business brought forth his new wealth
He not only knew all the value he was trying to hide
He knew of his cunning and stealth.

The three set upon the rich merchant
And beat him until  nearly dead
They striped him and found the money he hid
In the turban wrapped snug on his head.

They threw him into a deep ditch near the road
Knowing that the small life that remained 
Would turn quickly into a last gasp unto death
For this merchant who dared play their game.

They laughed as they left him to wither
They had all his wealth now to spend
Just another poor fool left to die a fool's death
His body nobody would tend.

When the light of the day came to breaking
Strangers passed on the footpath above
Only a few saw him lying in anguish
Only one reached in friendship and love.

The merchant was Jewish by birthright
The strangers who passed him, the same,
But he who had stopped and saved him from death
Was not Jewish, a man of no fame.

Hated pagan and stranger showed compassionate love
A Samaritan, not Hebrew was he
God's grace had come through none of his own 
For the heart, not the Law, was the key.