July 11th, 2010 | 
Author: Events have happened so rapidly this week I have not had time to record them all here. Everyone was surprised to learn that the Canaanite spies were, in fact, the Royal Governor’s brothers who had sold him into slavery when he was a boy. For them to meet again after all this time is amazing enough, but what is even more surprising was the Governor’s decision to forgive them and to bring his whole family here to live.
We have been preparing a massive celebration throughout the town to welcome these foreigners who come as guests of Egypt and settlers in our midst, with their women and children and livestock. The Governor has had fine houses built for them, and instructed all to welcome them as he has.
There was singing and dancing and feasting as the families were reunited. The Governor was especially glad to see his aging father– Jacob, I believe his name is.
We have learned many things about the governor’s One God, and the land of the Nile has been blessed by his influence. Who knows what the future may hold for us all?
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The whole palace is buzzing with the terrible news that some of the foreigners supposedly seeking help in the famine are actually spies! They were bold enough to come before our Governor Zaphenath-Paneah himself, and ask for grain to take back to far-away Canaan. The band of ten claimed to be brothers, but the Governor saw through their story at once and had them thrown into prison, and all their pack animals confiscated.
Security around the palace has been tightened; soldiers are everywhere, and every foreigner is searched and questioned as he enters the Royal Palace complex. Some distant ruler might be looking for weaknesses in Egypt’s defenses, or even be plotting to assassinate the Governor. The Royal Family themselves may be in danger!
Well, I will keep an eye on the household staff, let me tell you! Hati the Royal Housekeeper runs a tight ship around here, and there will be no security incidents within the Palace rooms while I am in charge!
Strangers from all over the known world have been making their journey to the royal cities of Egypt, looking for help in their distress. The rains have not made the crops grow and people are running out of food. Here in Egypt we still have plenty, thanks to the wisdom of our governor, who has been storing grain these last seven years.
We are careful to use our stored up goods wisely, though, for there are still years of shortage to come, according to the dreams of the Pharaoh. I still make sure there are honey buns the Royal Family likes so much, for breakfast, and raisins and figs for the Queen. A good housekeeper needs a headful of wisdom to run a household of this size!
This has certainly been an eventful week in the palace! Someone has finally been able to interpret the Pharaoh’s dreams– a most unusual and unexpected man, a foreigner named Joseph, has told the Pharaoh that his dreams are telling the future of our land. The Great Pharaoh has been so impressed with this man he has appointed him governor over the whole of Egypt, to prepare for what lies ahead.
Oh, and I have had so much to do, with Joseph moving into a wing of the palace, appointing new servants for him, and furnishing his rooms appropriately. Why, I even had to have a wardrobe made for this young man– he didn’t have a stitch of clothing that was suitable for his new position!
He does seem to be knowledgeable, with a keen sense of practical matters, and a head for organization. Now that is something I admire in a man! And very polite and well-mannered. Everyone has heard that he worships only one god, which is very strange. But this god has given him much wisdom and ability, which is even more remarkable. If Egypt prospers under his guidance, we will all be blessed.
Now I do need to put up my feet and rest after such a busy day!
It has been another hot day on the Nile. The Pharaoh has been plagued with dreams that disturb his sleep and trouble his spirit. He is restless and distressed even during the day and nothing pleases him. The Royal Cook has been preparing the best dishes to tempt the Great Pharaoh’s appetite but he cannot eat. Everyone is on edge. None of his wise men can tell him the meaning of the dreams.
I was glad to employ a new young woman on the household staff. Her name is Amun and she brings children with her. She is from Nubia; there are many different peoples under the protection of the Pharaoh’s crown, from far away lands. We can use the extra hands, and the children can work too. One of the boys is close to Prince Ahmoset in age and will be able to take care of the monkeys.
Who will be able to take care of the Pharaoh’s dreams? It seems there is no one to turn to for help.
This afternoon the Royal Cook’s children were gathering honey from the large clay pots where the bees make their honeycombs. I was feeling tired again, sitting in the sun to rest these old bones, and I remembered a story I used to tell my own children. Would you like to hear it also? I believe you have a story similar to it in your storybooks. It is called The Rose Red Slipper.
Prince Ahmoset is up and around today, causing mischief as usual. The servants in the children’s quarters are in an uproar, but I am thankful he is feeling better.
Sometimes I wish I knew what came after this life, in the Land of the Dead.
We are taught that it is a long journey to the Next World, and there are many dangers. If we make it safely through many difficulties and traps, then our hearts will be weighed on a scale to see how much good or evil is in us.
We spend much time thinking about that journey and preparing for it, not because we are afraid of death, but because we love life and want it to continue forever. I hope my husband (who died years ago when he was thrown from a horse) has made the journey successfully and is waiting there for me.
I had a dream last night of when I was a child, and was careful to write it down in my dream book. Many dreams are messages from the gods, and we can learn from them if we can understand what they mean. I dreamed my father was still living, and he was singing to me, as he often did. He sang this song:
“Spend a pleasant day!
Be good to yourself in every way.
Wear sweet oil and fine linen
And feel the miracle in All of Life.
Enjoy yourself every day,
Do what you have to do,
Without complaining,
Because no one comes back
From the land of the dead
To calm our hearts.
So let your heart be strong,
Make yourself happy,
Celebrate your life today.”
Prince Ahmoset tried to follow his pet monkeys up the palm tree in the garden and took a nasty fall this morning. The Royal Physician was called in; he chanted spells over the prince and moved the boy’s arms and legs around. Then he gave him a potion to drink, to chase out any illness from his body.
I am very worried about the prince; he complains of pain in his leg and in his head, but is resting in his bed now. I made sure he had fresh figs this evening– it is his favorite fruit! May the gods grant the young prince health and long life.