“I’m tired of playing with marbles and sticks,” said Laz. “Let’s play something else.”
“What can we play?” asked his two friends. “We can’t go near the lake, our dads will kill us!”
The three boys had been playing most of the afternoon. They’d done chores in the morning for their moms. It was their usual morning activity. Afternoons were for playing outdoors. In about half an hour, they’d have to go home. Sunset was approaching fast. The heat of the day had long passed. Nights in Nazareth were sometimes cool, especially if rain was on the way. It seemed that was the case this evening.
“I know, let’s race,” said Laz. “Look, there’s a tree we can use.”
The two friends agreed. All three would race to the tree, go around it, then run back to the ‘starting point’, which was where they were standing, where they’d been playing marbles and sticks.
Laz dropped a stone and the three friends set out. They were about the same age and healthy. Laz’ face looked worried as they neared the sycamore. Both of his friends ran slightly ahead of him neck and neck. If he didn’t do something fast, there was no way he could win. Since it was almost dark, Laz swiftly stopped short of skirting the tree and gained the distance he needed for victory. He’d deny it if they said anything, but he didn’t think they would.
One did. It was Asa.
“You didn’t skirt the tree!” he said. “We agreed to go around it.”
“I went round it, Moron,” Laz countered. “Everybody knows your eyesight is poor.” Laz looked at his other friend. “Am I right, Jesus?”
“Laz is right, Asa,” Jesus said. “Your eyesight is bad.”
Laz smirked then turned and ran toward his house.
“Why’d you agree with him, Jesus?” Asa asked. “You were the one winning. You know Laz didn’t go round the tree.”
The lad Jesus looked toward the setting sun then spoke. “I didn’t agree with him, Asa. I only said he was right about your eyesight. Anyway, one day I’ll win. Don’t worry.”
“I’m going home,” Asa said.
“See ya,” Jesus answered. They didn’t always get along perfectly, but He loved Asa and Laz. The three had been best friends as long as He could remember.
