***
The bus that was taking them to Jerusalem was old and it moved slowly up the steep road. The driver was an outgoing Jewish man who had a lot of respect for Greeks. He had lived in Greece and, being familiar with Greek hospitality, was now trying to return it. As he sang for them in both Hebrew and Greek, a festive atmosphere overtook the passengers. They sang along, clapping their hands.
Suddenly there was the screeching sound of brakes as the bus ran into the rocky side of the road. There were gunshots and the driver leaned over the steering wheel, pressed against the horn. Three masked gunmen armed with automatic weapons rushed onto the bus and ordered everyone to get down on the floor in front of their seats.
The women became hysterical and started screaming. Fear engulfed everyone except Penelope. She stood up and then hobbled toward the gunmen at the front of the bus. Eleni tried to stop her, but Penelope brushed her hand off and determinedly raised her head up and forged ahead.
"Who are you?" she demanded of the gunmen.
"Oh, shut up and sit down, old lady!
Don't force us to shoot you."
"Go ahead and shoot me. I have no intention of sitting." She continued, "I ask you again, who are you? And what do you want from us?"
One young gunman shot three rounds into the air, frightening the other passengers even further.
As Penelope moved closer, she could see the driver was slumped over.
"Is our driver hurt?" she asked.
"Yes, he is," snapped one of the gunmen.
"Let us help him," said Penelope, as horrible memories of her husband's death rushed back to her. Anger overcame her and she thrashed at the gunmen with her cane.
"Stop it, old lady, or you'll die like this Jew at the wheel!" His words were spat out with hate.
Penelope grabbed the hood off the man's head as she wrestled with him.
"You don't know when to quit, you old
Jewish hag, do you? I will have to shoot you."
"Go ahead, little coward, shoot! And what do you think you are going to gain by doing so?" She caught her breath, "I am a Greek lady and I demand respect." She raised her head even higher. "Now that we have all seen your face, tell us who you are."
"I am an Arab, born here in Palestine. We are only trying to defend our homeland from the hordes of Jews who are coming here and taking our lands and our homes." "I am sorry," said Penelope.
"We were under the impression that you were Jewish immigrants coming from Europe to take our land."