UNLIMITED

Cricket Magazine Fiction and Non-Fiction Stories for Children and Young Teens

FALSE IMPRESSIONS Part 3

Upon the death of his father, the slave Nabisin must leave the kitchens of his master, where his father had been embellisher, or cook. His master apprentices Nabi-sin to Zarriqum, slave and royal seal cutter to the household of King Hammurabi of Babylon. Kirum, Zarriqum’s adopted daughter, escorts Nabi-sin to his new home and gives him an amber stone with a fire-bug trapped inside. Nabi-sin is delighted to learn that his master’s son, Mar-eshtar, works with Zarriqum. As boys, Nabi-sin and Mareshtar pretended they were the hero Gilgamesh and his companion Enkidu looking for adventure. One day they swore a blood oath to remain friends forever, but Mar-eshtar gouged himself severely with the knife, and Nabi-sin’s father came to their rescue. Now Mar-eshtar is a royal scribe in King Hammurabi’s service.

One day the ambassador of Mari gives Zarriqum, the seal cutter, an expensive bowl as a gift. Although the ambassador has been sent as an envoy of peace to King Hammurabi’s court, he seems to enjoy ridiculing the people of Babylon, and Nabi-sin does not like him. Late one night Nabi-sin overhears the ambassador plotting with Zarriqum and Kirum to forge the seal of King Hammurabi. The ambassador will use the seal to make an official impression on a clay tablet that looks like a decree from Hammurabi, ordering his armies against Mari. The king of Mari, thinking that Hammurabi has broken the peace, will attack Babylon. Caught unawares, the city of Babylon will fall.

Alarmed, Nabi-sin creeps back to his sleeping mat and prays to Sin the moon

You’re reading a preview, subscribe to read more.

More from Cricket Magazine Fiction and Non-Fiction Stories for Children and Young Teens

Cricket Magazine Fiction and Non-Fiction Stories for Children and Young Teens2 min read
Cricket League
Dovie H., age 10Nashville, TN Rowing Camp Sophie A., age 12Chapel Hill, NC Emma C., age 12Clyde Hill, WA Emily S., age 10Johns Creek, GA Skill Building Camp Lydia M., age 12Staunton, VA Camping on the Beach Selah P., age 14Glendale, AZ Sierra S.,
Cricket Magazine Fiction and Non-Fiction Stories for Children and Young Teens1 min read
Lighting the Menorah
With each new twilight, a prayer. Each zone of time, each hour, candles flare, steadily crossing the world.The miracle of Hanukkah.■
Cricket Magazine Fiction and Non-Fiction Stories for Children and Young Teens1 min read
Midnight Cat
In the shelter, caged, she cried,“Let me out.” I touched the pawpoked through the bars to reach my hand,set her free and brought her home. Midnight cat, black on black,yellow eyes wide, undersizedbeauty, frail, with blunted tail.Played through my day

Related Books & Audiobooks