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He’s twelve, it’s a big event and he’s a typical boy, or is he? He’s drawn to what fascinates him the most – in this instance, the scriptures, the holy writings so special to his nation. They totally absorb him. They have parts of them back home but not the wholeset, plus the rabbis here are far more learned.  

He is mesmerized by them.  Why shouldn’t he be – after all they’re in his blood? They flowed from him throughout the centuries and now they are reconnecting with his human brain and fireworks are exploding all around his head. It’s like putting a 3D intergalactic jigsaw together. And the questions! They are shooting up so fast it’s hard to keep up with answering them. Each answer sparks another set of questions.

The rabbis find him amazing. Never have they met someone who was such a joy to teach. They’re delighted to include him in their meal breaks and offer a spare bed for the night in the living quarters within the Temple.  He’s so excited; he only catches a few hours sleep before he’s up again, eager for more. 

Time flies! It’s not sunset again already is it? Ah well, Mum and Dad are around somewhere – not to worry. They’ll find him when it’s time to go home.

Another day flies by – then towards evening, two tired, anxious faces appear. What do they mean; they didn’t know where he was? Where else would he be? He’s hardly likely to be hanging out in the market place now is he?  Come on!!  Then comes the guilt trip bit.  ‘How could you do this to us?’  But he hadn’t done anything! Deep breath – chill!

Ok, well, he’s sorry! Not that it’s his fault of course but they’re both a bit emotional and it’s better to take the rap and calm things down than to argue about who’s to blame. Sometimes it’s more important to find a way to bring peace to a storm than to win the argument! Perhaps on the way home, when they’ve had time to cool off a bit, they might realize that they had been overreacting just a bit. 

Note: The wording can be easily adapted to suit your own group or culture, for example you may prefer to say, ‘teachers’ instead of ‘rabbis’, and ‘shopping mall’ instead of ‘market place’. It needs to sound like normal everyday language to the listener.

Printer friendly pdf: Lost Child Found in Temple