When Hanif returned to Goshen at the end of each day, followed by faithful Amenrut, I asked for news. Although he tried to spare me from hearing the most dreadful events, I insisted.

The waters of Kemet, which had always been considered the lifeblood of the gods themselves, were still truly blood, causing the stench of dead fish to permeate the air. At first, the only struggle had been finding water, but now it was difficult to breathe.

Many people quickly died without water, especially children and the elderly. Without enough water for themselves, people could hardly be expected to provide for their livestock, so many animals perished of thirst as well. Vultures covered the skies like dark clouds, and jackals grew bolder.

Desperate for relief, groups of people had tried working together to dig a large pit of groundwater, which would then be rationed out daily, but no matter how long they dug, they never found enough water for more than a few people. Women brought vessels to store water in their homes.

"The fish are dead. Most of the livestock will be. The wild animals seem intelligent enough to have deserted this area," Hanif concluded. "Even if the river were healed tomorrow, a lot of people would still die of starvation."

An entire week passed with blood throughout the land in every stream, river, pond, and well. There was no clean water to be found other than what was dug from the banks of the river and what remained in the wells of Goshen. As if the stench of rotting fish wasn't bad enough, the lack of water made it impossible for people to wash themselves.

"Although I do pity the innocent who suffer because of Nisu," Varda remarked, "it seems fitting, in a way, that the river is blood. The previous nisu commanded that every male born to us should be drowned. Kemet finally got its wish for the river to run with the blood of our children."

I was sickened at the thought. How would I feel if someone murdered my baby? The grief was unfathomable! I wondered if Varda had lost sons and nephews to the river, but I dared not ask.

As if hearing my thoughts, Varda continued her story.

When she had come to the birthing stool with her first son, she had been blessed with a courageous tjemset who chose to obey God rather than Nisu. As soon as the baby had entered the world, the tjemset had jubilantly announced the arrival of a girl, in case anyone who had heard the mother's cries was now eavesdropping. Aviyah and Varda had given their son a girl's name and bought girl's toys for him until he was of the age where he was no longer in danger.

Varda's second child had also been male, but this time, Nisu's guards were not so easily deceived. Desperate to save her son, Varda had offered herself as a servant to a family of Berbers if they would allow the child to live among them until he had passed his infancy. Being with child herself, the Berber mother had readily agreed, and her husband made no objection. To this day, the two families remain close friends.

The other three children born to Varda had been female. All five were now grown and had their own families.

"You were most fortunate," I remarked after she had finished her story.

"Not fortunate," she replied. "Blessed."

"Of course."

The door opened, and Hanif burst into the room. "The river is healed! Water flows once more!"

I followed him to the nearest irrigation ditch outside of Goshen, stepping into the water and enjoying the coolness around my ankles. Children laughed and splashed each other.

However, I noticed that the Hebrews made no preparations to leave, so I knew Nisu had still not relented. There would be another severe punishment.

I decided to visit my family before the next tribulation. Their farm wasn't nearly as far from Goshen as ours, so the walk would no doubt be beneficial.

The morning I left, I bade farewell to Hanif, promising I would return to Goshen in a few days. Varda handed me a basket of bread and cheese in case I grew hungry during my journey.

When I arrived, my mother hurried over to embrace me. "Thank the gods you are well! Hanif says you've been staying in Goshen."

"Just until the baby is born," I answered. "We don't know what lies ahead. Did you find manage to find water?"

"The livestock provided milk, although not as much as usual."

My brother's wife rested her hand on my waist. "Hello! This is your Aunt Zahra!"

"When will I get to do this to you?" I queried.

She sighed sadly. "I fear Dhouti and I are unable to have children. We've considered consulting a sewnu."

To my surprise, even Pelkha was agreeable. She asked me if I was happy being married, and when I answered that I was, my sister asked what it was like carrying new life.

"You'll know for yourself someday," I replied.

She blushed. "I've met someone. Father says he'll try to arrange the marriage as soon as this time of trouble is over."

I was surprised to hear that Pelkha had fallen in love, but I knew she would make a fine wife, for she was dutiful and industrious in matters of housework.

"What is the name of this charmer who woos my sister?" I asked.

"Benipe." She smiled as she spoke her love's name. "His father was a blacksmith."

I squeezed her hand. "Aw ibetj!"

That night I lay awake for the longest time, repeatedly kicked by the life within me. When my baby finally settled, I drifted off to sleep, lulled by the distant croaking of frogs.

However, the frog sounds became louder and more frequent, waking me from my slumber. Unable to sleep, I stepped outside, enjoying the coolness of the night air. To my surprise, the entire ground seemed alive with frogs. It seemed as if every tadpole in Kemet had instantly turned into a frog, and all had left their native waters on the same night. Judging from the distant protests of livestock, some of the frogs had made their way into the barn.

Hearing a scream, I hurried to my sister's room. Pelkha was breathing heavily with her hand over her chest.

"I'm alright," she assured me. "I was just startled by the unexpected movement."

The corner of her room was alive with tiny frogs.

"Beloved Heket," my sister prayed, "we thank you for this sign that you are watching over Anit as the child grows inside her and that you will care for her as her time comes to deliver. Now that we have seen this wonder and offer you praise, we humbly beseech you to allow these frogs to return to the water, that they may live in a way that is pleasing to you."

Before dawn, the frogs had invaded every part of the house. They took refuge in the oven, the kneading trough, and every other crevice of every room of the house. My flesh crawled each time one of the slimy creatures jumped against my bare ankle.

Hanif knocked on the door. "I hate to shorten your visit with your family, but I've noticed a lot of frogs on my way home, and I thought you might be more comfortable in Goshen."

I embraced my family members, bidding them, "Senebti!"

My brother smiled. "Nefer sedjmetj."

Kissing Hanif, I turned back for Goshen as he continued his journey to our farm.