(START READING FROM THE BEGINNING)

When Seth awoke he found himself alone on the corduroy couch. For a moment his surroundings confused him, but slowly he pieced together his memory. Scanning the room he found that Mr. Shane was not there and the floor beside the couch was empty. Seth was uncertain about what to do, but after slowly rising to his feet he knew that he wanted to go home.

The hallway outside of the den was still dark. Seth proceeded down it without noticing the books or anything else. He felt a little nauseous but couldn’t figure out why. Before he reached the kitchen he paused a moment, thinking of his sister’s image running down the road.

“Oh! Seth! I’m glad to see you’re finally awake. Here…have some tea.” Mr. Shane stood in the middle of the kitchen holding two steaming glasses in his hand.

“I’m sorry Mr. Shane.”

“Seth come here and sit down.”

“I’m really sorry Mr. Shane.”

“Please, Seth. It’s all right. Come and have a seat.” Mr. Shane pulled out a chair for him at the corner of the table. Reluctantly, Seth sat down.

Mr. Shane pointed to the large bible laying open on the table. As Seth started to move it out of the way his teacher halted him.

“Wait a moment, Seth. I want you to read something.”

Still afraid, Seth asked, “What is it?”

“It has to do with class today. With Noah.”

“Um…okay. Where should I start?” For the first time in their relationship Seth felt very uncomfortable in his teacher’s presence. All he wanted to do was run away, but he knew he had to stay and do as he was told.

“Begin with verse 18.”

“The sons of Noah who came out of the ark were Shem, Ham and Japeth. These were the three sons of Noah, and from them came the people who were scattered all over the earth.” Seth paused for a moment and looked up at his teacher. He had never heard this part of story and wanted an explanation. Mr. Shane just nodded so he continued to read, “Noah, a man of the soil, proceeded to plant a vineyard. When he drank some of its wine, he became drunk and lay uncovered inside his tent. Ham, the father of Canaan, saw his father’s nakedness and told his two brother’s outside.”

“Now skip down to verse 24 please, Seth.”

“Um…okay. When Noah awoke from his wine and found out what his youngest son had done to him, he said, ‘Cursed be Canaan! The lowest of slaves will he be to his brothers.’ I don’t understand Mr. Shane.”

“That was how Noah punished Ham for what he did. He sentenced Ham’s son to slavery.”

Seth’s head began to spin. None of this made any sense. He wanted to go home. Without looking up at his teacher he asked, “What about me?”

“It isn’t just you, Seth. We both need to keep quiet. Not tell anyone.”

“I’m sorry Mr. Shane.”

“So am I.”

(GO ON TO PART SEVEN)