Long ago, there lived a poor boy named Yosef who loved the Sabbath. All week he worked hard in the marketplace in order to bring home a little food for his family. Only on the Sabbath could he rest and pray, taking from the peacefulness of that day the strength for his next week of labor.

Then one day, Yosef's mother received startling news: Far away, in Egypt, a relative had died and left his money to Yosef's family. At last there would be money for food and clothing, but only if Yosef—a 10-year-old boy—could cross the huge desert with a caravan and claim the inheritance.

The caravan leader even promises he will let the boy rest on the Sabbath. When the man breaks his promise, Yosef fears he will die in the desert—but then something wonderful happens.

This is a folktale about the power of faith; but more than that, it is a magical adventure story that will appeal to children of all ages and religions. Howard Schwartz and Barbara Rush's vivid storytelling, together with Stephen Fieser's glowing paintings, bring to life another time and place, and a message about the importance of keeping a promise.

From the dust jacket