A palace servant on horseback shouted to the men on donkeys.
Before anyone could answer, the man jumped off his horse and forced the 11 brothers to stop.
He pushed his hand deep into Reuben's bag. "Nothing," he muttered. He searched each sack. Finally he came to Reuben's youngest brother, Benjamin. When he opened Benjamin's sack, something shiny tumbled out.
"Tell that to the governor," the man said. He grabbed Benjamin's arm.
Reuben thought about the day many years ago when he and his brothers threw their younger brother, Joseph, into a pit. They had been jealous of Joseph and the beautiful coat their father had given him.
Reuben had gone back later to save Joseph, but his brothers had already sold him to a passing caravan. The brothers told their father that wild animals had killed Joseph.
"Do you know who I am?" The governor's words broke into Reuben's thoughts.
Reuben looked into the governor's eyes and trembled.
Reuben lowered his head in shame. Joseph placed his hand on Reuben's shoulder.
This article originally appeared in the August 2009 issue of Focus on the Family Clubhouse Jr. magazine. Copyright © 2009 Christian Elden. Used by permission. Illustration © Gary Locke.