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you can’t run as fast as the other children,” she said as she wiped the dirt off Amina’s hands, “but God created you to do something special that they can’t do.”
    “He did? What?”
    Hodaya laughed. “I don’t know, but I’m certain you’ll figure it out by the time you’re my age. My husband was a shepherd. His flock grazed in the fields outside town. I learned to spin and weave the wool from his sheep and make cloth to sell.”
    Amina climbed off the stool after Hodaya finished and looked around at the colorful skeins of wool and piles of cloth. Hodaya had been unpacking her goods in her stall when Amina had tripped and fallen, and she continued laying out her samples now. “These colors are really pretty,” Amina said, trailing her fingers over the soft fabric.
    “Thank you, dear. I dye the wool myself. I love trying different ingredients and creating new colors.”
    Amina’s father said Jews were thieves and liars, and she should stay far away from them. If her sister came back and saw her talking to one, Amina would get into trouble. But she didn’t care. She liked this kind, gentle woman.
    “Your hair is such a beautiful color,” Hodaya said, resting her hand on Amina’s head for a moment. Amina only flinched a little this time. “I would love to find a way to dye my cloth this gorgeous, coppery-brown.”
    “Sayfah says my hair is ugly. Hers is black like Mama’s.”
    “Don’t listen to her. It’s lovely and—” Hodaya halted in surprise as a man hurried into the booth. Amina could tell by the little cap he wore and the tassels on his robe that he was Jewish. “Jacob! What are you doing here?” Hodaya asked.
    “Pack everything up, Mama. We have to go home right away.”
    “What are you talking about? I just got here. I haven’t sold anything yet.” The man began stuffing cloth back into sacks as if he hadn’t heard her. “Jacob, stop. What are you doing?”
    “Something’s happened, Mama—”
    “To one of the children? To your brothers?” she asked in alarm.
    “No, we’re all fine.” He noticed Amina for the first time and asked, “Who’s the Edomite girl? Why is she here?” He glared at Amina as if she were his enemy.
    “This is my new friend, Amina. She fell and skinned her knees. Amina, this is my very rude son, Jacob.” He didn’t respond as he continued to fold up Hodaya’s cloth and take down her display, his movements hurried and jerky. Hodaya made him stop, pulling a bolt of fabric from his hands. “Jacob, I’m not packing up or going anywhere until you tell me why.”
    He let out his breath in a rush, the way a horse snorts when it’s impatient to run. “Three elders from Jerusalem came to the house of assembly this morning with bad news. The Persian emperor has issued a decree that’s . . . well, it’s like something from a nightmare. We’re holding a meeting right away to discuss what to do. I came to take you home.”
    Amina watched Hodaya’s face. If her son’s news upset her, the older woman didn’t let it show. She rested her hand on Amina’s head again, as if blessing her. “It was so nice to meet you, Amina. I hope we see each other again.”
    “Me too.”
    Just then, Amina heard her sister calling her. “Amina . . . Amina, where are you?”
    “Bye,” she said with a little wave. “Thanks for helping me.” She ducked out of the booth and limped up the street toward Sayfah, taking her time so she wouldn’t trip again.
    “Where have you been?” Sayfah asked. She looked as angry and impatient as their father as she stood with her arms folded, glaring as if Amina was at fault instead of Sayfah and the others for running off. “Come on, slowpoke. Mama is finished shopping. We’re going home.”
    Mama stood waiting at the narrow entrance to Bethlehem,holding the produce she’d purchased. Amina tried to help, carrying a melon as she limped home, but her weak leg made it hard to keep up. She tried to show Mama her scraped