Jesses Star by Ellen Schwartz Read Free Book Online

get a good look at him. He had to take them completely by surprise.
    â€œWhere’s that darn root cellar, anyway?” Yuri slurred. “You said you knew where it was, Misha.”
    â€œShut your mouth!” Misha rasped. “It must be around here somewhere. Where else could it be? Look for straw. Is that straw there …?”
    There were stumbling footsteps for several moments, then the sound of a collision. “Watch where you’re going!” Andrei said.
    â€œYou blundered into me, you oaf!” Boris returned.
    â€œShut up, both of you,” Misha snapped. “Now, get out of my way — ooofff!” There was a sprawling sound. Then, “Here it is! I’ve found the trap door.”
    â€œWhere? Where?” Yuri said.
    â€œWe’ll soon have a feast, friends,” Boris said.
    â€œI don’t see anything,” Andrei said.
    â€œBlasted door,” Misha said. “Help me, it’s stuck.”
    There was a scuffling sound as all four soldiers flopped to the ground.
    â€œWhere?”
    â€œIs that the handle?”
    â€œNo, that’s my foot, you fool!”
    Now
, Yossi thought.
    He stepped out from the shadows. Pitching his voice high, he screeched, “What’s this, my lovely lads? Fattening yourselves up for me, are you?”
    Four heads looked up. Four mouths fell open.
    Baba Yaga stalked closer. She waved one long-nailed hand. “Ooohh, four tasty fellows. What luck! I’m simply ravenous!”
    â€œWhaa —”
    â€œHoly mother of God —”
    â€œIt can’t be —”
    â€œWhat a delicious meal you boys will make, roasted slow and crisp in my oven, turned on the spit to perfection. I can hardlywait to taste the first bite. Who will I eat first, I wonder? Will it be you? Or you? Or you? Or you?” She pointed a razor-sharp finger at each soldier in turn.
    The soldiers scrambled to their feet, knocking over one another in their haste.
    â€œIt’s her —”
    â€œThe witch —”
    â€œBaba Yaga!”
    Baba Yaga cackled, tossing her stringy hair as she stalked closer. “Yes, it is I, come to snare you for my pot.” She hefted the skull on the end of her broomstick. “And your skulls, once I’ve picked them clean, will make handsome additions to my collection — just like this one.”
    The soldiers began to back up, but Baba Yaga advanced just as quickly. Her long fingernails glittered. The skull rattled on the broomstick. Perched on her long bony legs, she towered over the cringing soldiers. “My belly is empty. My appetite is gnawing. My mouth is watering. I want to eat you — NOW!”
    The soldiers hesitated no longer. Shrieking, they ran for their lives.
    â€œSave me!”
    â€œHelp!”
    â€œYikes!”
    â€œWhaaa —”
    The soldiers disappeared down the road, back towards their encampment. Spooked, their horses had already disappeared.
    Yossi waited until they were completely out of sight, until he could no longer hear footsteps. He threw back his head and laughed. Then, as quickly as he could, he hopped down from his stilts, tore off the mop and scarf and cloth, threw down the broomstick and lantern, scattered the knitting needles. Tucking his stilts under his arm, he ran in the opposite direction.
    The villagers were crouching in the shadows cast by the ruins of the sukkah. Mama tore herself from the crowd. “Yossi! Oh, my Yossele, where were you? I was so scared —”
    â€œI’m fine, Mama, don’t worry.”
    Everyone pressed close. “Did it work, Yossi?” Miriam said. “Are they gone?”
    â€œGone, Miriam! Running for their lives!”
    â€œYou chased the soldiers off, Yossi?” the Rebbe said, hardly daring to believe it.
    â€œYou?” Golda repeated.
    â€œ
You
?” Jonah echoed.
    Yossi enjoyed their surprise. “Yes, I.”
    Mama grabbed him, holding him close.