It's sad actually. In all of history children have been mean against other children; always finding a reason to pick on those weaker than themselves. The small town of Nazareth about 2000 years ago is no exception to that unfortunate rule.
The children was after little Rachel. She was a pretty girl; with big brown, doe-like eyes. Beautiful dark curly hair and she was always so polite. So why was the children picking on her? Because rumour had it that her mother was a prostitute.
The children seized poor little Rachel; threw her into the mud and rolled her around. All the time calling her names and spitting on her. What could she do? She was just one girl; barely five years old. They were more than twenty children ganged together; the oldest being well into their teens. So she just cried her brave tears.
"Look! The little whore-brat is crying!"
And the jeering became even worse than before. She just closed her eyes; letting the beating come.
"Leave her alone!" It was the voice of a ten-year-old boy. Rachel couldn't remember the last time anyone else than her mother told someone that.
"Mind your own business. Who do you think you are? I know who you are; you're Joseph, the carpenter's oldest son. And she is just a dirty whore-brat who deserves what she gets!"
"We don't know that for sure. And besides; even if her mother is a prostitute it doesn't give you the right to pick on her! You're just a big coward; fifteen years old. And picking on someone who's only five!"
There was a loud noise; like someone had just let their fist collide with someone else's face. And she heard the other children leave.
"Are you okay?" it was the boy again.
Slowly Rachel opened her eyes and looked at him. His left eye was almost closed; a big bruised area sprouting around it.
"Does that hurt?"
"Not as much as I suppose you hurt. Come on; we better get you cleaned up and then I'll follow you back to your mum. I'm Jesus by the way. What's your name? Whore-brat is such and ugly name. And it doesn't fit you at all!"
"I'm Rachel…"
Rachel smiled; she was really sure she had found a friend.
