On the Road to Damascus: Jesus' First Picture

"Hail farer. Wherefore thou goeth? I am a merry fellow in charge of much ale and in need of some company. Sojourn with me a while and make good eat."

"Thanks and praises due to our ancestor who blessed us with a common tongue. For in his wisdom are the riches you bear."

"Tell me fellow, the manner of our tongue you speak, it is in a strange way. Do I wonder per chance?"

"Pour me some wine and I shall tell ye a story."

Time elapses.

"It is of a man, they call him Jesus. No such ordinary lad he, this one, noooo. Say, I saw with mine own two eyes, this fella, why he turned wooter into woine!"

"Get the fuck outta here. That didn't happen. You're just yanking mi chain."

"Ah, stranger, but you are too wise for me. But then, think of a thing in this way..."

"I'm listening, I'm listening, oh man of humor. You have met a good spirit tonight. Have some more wine."


"Certainly. Now, what really happened... It was a wedding in Canaan."

Time elapses.

"Well I'll be damned. And you say his name is what now?"

"Jesus. Jesus the Nazarene."

"Jesus. Wow. And you... you, you seem so familiar to me. What is YOUR name?"

"I am Solon. Solon St. John."

"Solon, the grace of Abraham has brought you to me. I am Solon St. Paul, the wealthy merchant blessed for moral deeds. Please journey with me that I might hear more of this Jesus."

"If it is the grace of Abraham."

"It is! It is!"