No Woman So Fair by Gilbert Morris Page B

Abram.”
    â€œWhy? It’s true, isn’t it? People fear all these deities who hover over us, supposedly ready to punish us for displeasing them. If we don’t bring the proper offering, we’ll get a flood or maybe a drought. That’s what has made religion so powerful—fear.”
    â€œBut, Abram, don’t you think we should fear the gods?”
    â€œSomething inside me tells me we should love the gods…. But how can we”—Abram shrugged his shoulders—“when they bring nothing but troubles.”
    The more Abram talked, the more Zaroni admired him. He was utterly honest and humble, not like the other suitors who had called on Sarai. Feeling more comfortable with this man than any previous suitor, she said gently, “I know Sarai is upset with you right now, but I hope you won’t give up.”
    Abram shot her a glance. “She’ll never forgive me.”
    â€œOh, yes she will. I’ve told you before she has a fiery temper, and she’s spoiled to the bone. But deep under all that, she has a good heart.”
    â€œIf she has a heart like you, then she certainly does.” Abram smiled. “But I’m sure she would never consider me as a possible husband.”
    ****
    â€œHe’s nothing but a clumsy oaf!” Sarai cried to her mother later in her room.
    After Zaroni’s conversation with Abram, she had gone to Sarai’s bedroom to try to talk to her about him. She passed along her impressions that the young man had a gentle heart and was basically good, but Sarai merely tossed her head and denied it.
    â€œHe’s very intelligent,” Zaroni insisted, “and one of the kindest men I’ve ever met. Not like most young men, who are very selfish.”
    â€œHe shoved me off the bridge into the mud!”
    Zaroni’s temper flared, unusual for her. “You’re acting like a fool, girl! He accidentally bumped into you, and you hate him for it. I thought you had better sense.”
    Sarai stared at her mother open-eyed, amazed at her uncharacteristic outburst of anger. “Why, Mother, I’ve never seen you so upset.”
    â€œI’ve never seen you make such a fool out of yourself! You go around crying and whimpering and complaining because you can’t find a husband who’s young and strong and yet kind to women. And when one comes along, because of one incident, you shut him out. Don’t you see how foolish you are?”
    Sarai dropped her head, and her face flushed at her mother’s cutting words. She finally lifted her eyes and whispered, “I’m sorry, Mother.”
    â€œThat’s my girl.” Zaroni smiled and embraced her daughter. “He’s very shy. You’ll have to show him that you have no ill feelings. Will you do that?”
    â€œI…I’ll try, Mother. Really I will!”
    ****
    Abram was shocked when Sarai stepped into the dining room later that evening after the meal had already started. He stood up at once and was surprised when she managed a small smile.
    â€œHello. Am I late?” she asked meekly.
    â€œNot at all,” Zaroni replied. “Here, sit down. This is fresh mutton, and you know how good it is when Mahita cooks it.”
    Abram said little, but there was a break in the tension. He could not help admiring Sarai’s smooth, pearly skin. She had the most beautiful complexion he had ever seen on any woman, and her eyes! They were enormous and beautifully shaped, and when she occasionally lifted them, he saw that the anger and bitterness in them had given way to a gentleness he had not seen before. She’s so beautiful , he thought. When she suddenly asked him if he were enjoying his visit to Uruk, he said quickly, “Oh yes.”
    Abram was so inexperienced with women, he did not know how to take the matter any further and finished his meal in awkward silence.
    When the men rose to take a walk around the courtyard and