Prophet Joseph and His Brothers

Prophet Jacob had twelve sons. One of the youngest was Joseph. Joseph had a beautiful face and a kind heart. One night he dreamed that eleven stars, the sun and the moon bowed to him with respect. He told his father. Jacob said, "My son, do not tell this dream to your brothers." Because his brothers were jealous that their father loved Joseph so much.

One day the brothers said, "Let's take Joseph out to play with us." Their father let him go, though unwillingly. But the brothers gave in to their jealousy and left Joseph in a deep well. They went home and told their father, "A wolf took Joseph." Jacob was very sad, but he was patient: "Beautiful patience is what I must have," he said.

A caravan passed by the well. When they lowered a bucket for water, they saw Joseph holding on to the end of it. They took him to Egypt. Joseph grew up there. Many hardships came his way; he was even thrown into prison unjustly. But he never gave up his honesty. Even in prison, he interpreted dreams truly.

One day the king of Egypt had a strange dream: seven thin cows ate seven fat cows. Nobody understood it. They sent for Joseph. Joseph said: "There will be seven years of plenty, and then seven years of famine. Store wheat in the years of plenty." The king made him the keeper of the country's storehouses.

In the years of famine, people came from faraway lands to buy wheat. One day Joseph's brothers came too! Joseph recognised them at once, but they did not recognise him. In the end Joseph made himself known: "I am Joseph." The brothers bowed their heads in shame. But Joseph said to them: "No blame on you today. May God forgive you."

The whole family came to Egypt. Jacob was reunited with his son. And so the dream Joseph had as a child came true.

This story tells us: jealousy darkens the heart, while forgiveness brightens it. Whoever stays honest in hard times reaches something beautiful in the end.